Pulsed electric field-assisted modification of pectin from sugar beet pulp

► Pectin-arachates were prepared in one-step modification without any solvent. ► Pulsed electric field (PEF) has a favorable effect on synthesis of pectin-arachates. ► The degree of esterification (DE) ranging from 61 to 84 were obtained with PEF assist. This current work is concerned with the modification of sugar beet pulp (SBP) pectin assisted by pulsed electric filed (PEF) without solvent. Pectin-arachates with degree of esterification (DE) ranging from 49 to 84 were prepared in one-step modification. The results showed that the DE of pectin derivatives increased significantly with the PEF intensity from 18 to 30kVcm(1 and total specific energy input from 124 to 345JmL(1. Evidence of modification of pectin was provided by FT-IR, X-ray diffraction patterns and NMR spectra. Thermogravimetric investigation of modified pectin indicated a higher thermal stability than the untreated one. Results revealed that PEF technology is a promising method for industrial manufacture of pectin derivatives.