Physicochemical characterisation of hawthorn pectins and their performing in stabilising oil-in-water emulsions

Hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) berries ripeness induced pectin diversity: A comparative study in physicochemical properties, structure, function and fresh-keeping potential

The effect of hawthorn berries ripeness on the physicochemical, structural and functional properties of hawthorn pectin (HP) and its potential in sweet cherry preservation were investigated. With the advanced ripeness of hawthorn berries, the galacturonic acid (GalA) content decreased from 59.70 mol% to 52.16 mol%, the molecular weight (Mw) reduced from 368.6 kDa to 284.3 kDa, the microstructure exhibited variable appearance from thick lamella towards porous cross-linked fragment, emulsifying activity and emulsions stability, antioxidant activities, α-amylase and pancreatic lipid inhibitory capacities significantly increased. The heated emulsion stored for 30 d presented higher creaming index and more ordered oil droplets compared to the unheated emulsion. With the extended berries ripeness, the firmness of HP gels remarkably decreased from 225.69 g to 73.39 g, while the springiness increased from 0.78 to 1.16, HP exhibited a superior inhibitory effect in water loss, browning, softening, and bacterial infection in sweet cherries preservation.

Recent progress and treatment strategy of pectin polysaccharide based tissue engineering scaffolds in cancer therapy, wound healing and cartilage regeneration

Natural polymers and its mixtures in the form of films, sponges and hydrogels are playing a major role in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Hydrogels have been extensively investigated as standalone materials for drug delivery purposes as they enable effective encapsulation and sustained release of drugs. Biopolymers are widely utilised in the fabrication of hydrogels due to their safety, biocompatibility, low toxicity, and regulated breakdown by human enzymes. Among all the biopolymers, polysaccharide-based polymer is well suited to overcome the limitations of traditional wound dressing materials. Pectin is a polysaccharide which can be extracted from different plant sources and is used in various pharmaceutical and biomedical applications including cartilage regeneration. Pectin itself cannot be employed as scaffolds for tissue engineering since it decomposes quickly. This article discusses recent research and developments on pectin polysaccharide, including its types, origins, applications, and potential demands for use in AI-mediated scaffolds. It also covers the materials-design process, strategy for implementation to material selection and fabrication methods for evaluation. Finally, we discuss unmet requirements and current obstacles in the development of optimal materials for wound healing and bone-tissue regeneration, as well as emerging strategies in the field.

Preparation, structural characterization, bioactivities, and applications of Crataegus spp. polysaccharides: A review

Crataegus, is a genus within the Rosaceae family. It is recognized as a valuable plant with both medicinal and edible qualities, earning it the epithet of the "nutritious fruit" owing to its abundant bioactive compounds. Polysaccharides are carbohydrate polymers linked by glycosidic bonds, one of the crucial bioactive ingredients of Crataegus spp. Recently, Crataegus spp. polysaccharides (CPs) have garnered considerable attention due to their diverse range of bioactivities, including prebiotic, hypolipidemic, anticancer, antibacterial, antioxidant, and immunobiological properties. Herein, we provide a comprehensive overview of recent research on CPs. The analysis revealed that CPs exhibited a broad molecular weight distribution, ranging from 5.70 Da to 4.76 × 108 Da, and are composed of various monosaccharide constituents such as mannose, rhamnose, and arabinose. Structure-activity relationships demonstrated that the biological function of CPs is closely associated with their molecular weight, galacturonic acid content, and chemical modifications. Additionally, CPs have excellent bioavailability, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, which make them promising candidates for applications in the food, medicine, and cosmetic industries. The article also scrutinized the potential development and future research directions of CPs. Overall, this article provides comprehensive knowledge and underpinnings of CPs for future research and development as therapeutic agents and multifunctional food additives.

Excipient emulsion prepared with pectin and sodium caseinate to improve the bioaccessibility of carotenoids in mandarin juice: The effect of emulsifier and polymer concentration

Excipient emulsions were prepared using different emulsifiers (pectin and sodium caseinate, individually or compositely) to study the emulsifying properties and their co-digested effects on the retention and bioaccessibility of carotenoids in mandarin juice, which is a good source of carotenoids in people's diet. Results showed that both pectin (PC) and pectin-sodium caseinate (PC-SC) emulsion significantly increased the carotenoids retention and bioaccessibility of mandarin juice, with the effects depending on both emulsifiers and polymer concentration. Whether for PC or PC-SC emulsion, lower pectin content accompanied with lower viscosity showed higher carotenoids bioaccessibility. And for the complexed emulsions, appropriate sodium caseinate addition could be more beneficial in improving carotenoids bioaccessibility. It had been found that the viscosity comparing with particle size seemed to play a more important role in affecting carotenoid bioaccessibility during the co-digestion. This study could provide a basis for improving the carotenoids bioaccessibility in the real system of fruits and vegetables with excipient emulsions.

Physicochemical properties and Pb2+ adsorption capacity of freeze-dried hawthorn pectin fractions by gradient ethanol precipitation

Three fractions of FHP20, FHP40 and FHP60 were obtained from freeze-dried hawthorn pectin by gradient ethanol precipitation (20-60 %), and their physicochemical properties and adsorption performance on Pb²⁺ were investigated. It was found that the content of galacturonic acid (GalA) and esterification of FHP fractions gradually reduced with the increase of ethanol concentration. FHP60 had the lowest molecular weight (60.69 × 10³ Da), and the composition and proportion of monosaccharides were significantly different. The experimental results of Pb²⁺ adsorption showed that the adsorption process fitted well with the Langmuir monolayer adsorption and the pseudo-second-order models. Our findings suggested that pectin fractions with good homogeneity of molecular weight and chemical construction can be obtained by gradient ethanol precipitation, and hawthorn pectin could be developed as a potential adsorbent for Pb²⁺ removal.

Physicochemical properties and biological activities of Tremella hydrocolloids

In this paper, the physicochemical properties, antioxidant and anti-aging abilities of three new Tremella hydrocolloids were studied. The physicochemical properties were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimeter, X-ray diffractometry etc. The antioxidant activities of Tremella hydrocolloids were determined by ABTS radical, DPPH radical scavenging activity. The anti-aging ability of Tremella hydrocolloids was also investigated by using the organism model of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). The results showed that the ES-THD displayed the highest radical scavenging capacity and the best anti-aging abilities. The ability of ES-THD to scavenge ABTS radicals reached 100 % at 2 mg/mL, the ability of ES-THD to scavenge DPPH radicals reached 45.55 %. Compared with the control group, the average lifespan was 29.17 % longer fed with ES-THD. These results provide the evidence basis for the use of Tremella hydrocolloids as food texture modifiers, antioxidants, and anti-aging agents in the food industries.

Effects of Proteins and Mineral Ions on the Physicochemical Properties of 1,3-Dioleoyl-2-Palmitoylglycerol Emulsion to Mimic a Liquid Infant Formula

Proteins and minerals in infant formula not only serve as nutrients, but also have important effects on the physical and chemical stability of emulsions. In this study, calcium carbonate (0 or 9.08 mM) and potassium chloride (0 or 15.96 mM), as representatives of divalent and monovalent minerals, were added to 1,3-dioleoyl-2-palmitoylglycerol (OPO) emulsions in different ratios (10:0, 9:1, 6:4, 5:5, and 0:10) of whey protein isolate (WPI) and sodium caseinate (CN). The influence of proteins and minerals on emulsion stability was investigated by analyzing particle size, zeta potential, creaming index, rheological properties, storage stability, and lipid oxidation. 1,3-dioleoyl-2-palmitoylglycerol (OPO) emulsions could be destabilized by adding Ca²⁺, as shown by the increase in particle size index, creaming index, and the decrease in zeta potential magnitude. Divalent ions could affect the electrostatic interactions between lipid droplets and the interactive effects of ion surface adsorption. In addition, the effect of different protein ratios on the physical stability of emulsions was not significant under the same ion-type conditions. In terms of chemical stability, higher oxidized values were found in emulsions stabilized with only CN than in those containing WPI. Our study showed that protein ratios and minerals played an important role in the stability of OPO emulsions, which might provide a reference for the development and utilization of liquid infant formula.

Extraction of Pectin from Satsuma Mandarin Peel: A Comparison of High Hydrostatic Pressure and Conventional Extractions in Different Acids

Satsuma mandarin peel pectin was extracted by high hydrostatic pressure-assisted citric acid (HHPCP) or hydrochloric acid (HHPHP), and the physiochemical, structural, rheological and emulsifying characteristics were compared to those from conventional citric acid (CCP) and hydrochloric acid (CHP). Results showed that HHP and citric acid could both increase the pectin yield, and HHPCP had the highest yield (18.99%). Structural characterization, including NMR and FTIR, demonstrated that HHPHP showed higher Mw than the other pectins. The viscosity of the pectin treated with HHP was higher than that obtained with the conventional method, with HHPHP exhibiting significantly higher viscosity. Interestingly, all the pectin emulsions showed small particle mean diameters (D_4,3 being 0.2–1.3 μm) and extremely good emulsifying stability with centrifugation and 30-day storage assays, all being 100%. Satsuma mandarin peel could become a highly promising pectin source with good emulsifying properties, and HHP-assisted acid could be a more efficient method for pectin extraction.

Recent application of protein hydrolysates in food texture modification

The demand for clean labels has increased the importance of natural texture modifying ingredients. Proteins are unique compounds that can impart unique textural and structural changes in food. However, lack of solubility and extensive aggregability of proteins have increased the demand for enzymatically hydrolyzed proteins, to impart functional and structural modifications to food products. The review elaborates the recent application of various proteins, protein hydrolysates, and their role in texture modification. The impact of protein hydrolysates interaction with other food macromolecules, the effect of pretreatments, and dependence of various protein functionalities on textural and structural modification of food products with controlled enzymatic hydrolysis are explained in detail. Many researchers have acknowledged the positive effect of enzymatically hydrolyzed proteins on texture modification over natural protein. With enzymatic hydrolysis, various textural properties including foaming, gelling, emulsifying, water holding capacity have been effectively improved. It is evident that each protein is unique and imparts exceptional structural changes to different food products. Thus, selection of protein requires a fundamental understanding of its structure-substrate property relation. For wider applicability in the industrial sector, more studies on interactions at the molecular level, dosage, functionality changes, and sensorial attributes of protein hydrolysates in food systems are required.

Kinetic, Thermodynamic, Physicochemical, and Economical Characterization of Pectin from Mangifera indica L. cv. Haden Residues

The effect of temperature (60, 70, 80, and 90 °C) and time (30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 min) on citric acid extraction of Haden mango (Mangifera indica L. cv. Haden) peel pectin was evaluated in the present study. In order to obtain a better understanding of both the extraction process and the characteristics of the pectin (obtained from an agro-industrial waste) for a future scaling process, the following characterizations were performed: (1) Kinetic, with the maximum extraction times and yields at all evaluated temperatures; (2) thermodynamic, obtaining activation energies, enthalpies, entropies, and Gibbs free energies for each stage of the process; (3) physicochemical (chemical analysis, monosaccharide composition, degree of esterification, galacturonic acid content, free acidity, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric and derivative thermogravimetric analyses); and (4) economical, of the pectin with the highest yield. The Haden mango peel pectin was found to be characterized by a high-esterified degree (81.81 ± 0.00%), regular galacturonic acid content (71.57 ± 1.26%), low protein (0.83 ± 0.05%) and high ash (3.53 ± 0.02%) content, low mean viscometric molecular weight (55.91 kDa), and high equivalent weight (3657.55 ± 8.41), which makes it potentially useful for food applications.

Advances in biopolymeric active films incorporated with emulsified lipophilic compounds: a review

The attention towards active films has increased due to consumer demand for high-quality foods without chemical additives. Active biopolymer-based films have shown great potential for active films by impacting food safety, acting as the carriers of various natural antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds, and decreasing environmental pollution from petrol-derived packaging materials. However, there is a wide range of challenges concerning the different characteristics of biopolymers and plasticizers, often hygroscopic/hydrophilic, compared to numerous lipophilic bioactive compounds. Therefore, recent studies have focused on applying oil-in-water emulsion-based systems to enhance the lipophilic bioactive compounds' dispersibility into the film matrix, improving their performance. It is worth emphasizing that resulting complex systems give rise to new challenges such as (i) dispersion technology of the bioactive compounds with minimum adverse effects on its bioactivities, (ii) interactions between different components of the active films, giving rise to new physicochemical properties, and (iii) the change of the diffusion properties of bioactive compounds into the active films, resulting in different release properties. These challenges are profound and critically discussed in this review, as well as the encapsulation techniques employed in preparing emulsions loaded with lipophilic bioactive compounds for the active film development. An outlook of future directions in the research, development, and application of these active films are given.

The attention towards active films has increased due to consumer demand for high-quality foods without chemical additives.

Hawthorn pectin: Extraction, function and utilization

Pectin has been widely used as emulsifiers, gelling agents, glazing agents, stabilizers, and thickeners in food products. Hawthorn pectin has a higher viscosity than other foods-derived pectin such as lemon and apple pectin. It is also reported as a multifunctional fruit substance, which reduces the risk of hyperlipidemia and dyslipidemia. Therefore, hawthorn pectin is a potential resource for the development of new drugs, functional foods, and health-care products. This review symmetrically summarized the extraction methods, physiological characteristics, functional properties, and processing technologies of hawthorn pectin. It laid a foundation for the further research of hawthorn pectin and promoted the diversified utilization of hawthorn.

Effects of High-Pressure Homogenization on Pectin Structure and Cloud Stability of Not-From-Concentrate Orange Juice

Not-from-concentrate (NFC) juice is popular with consumers due to its similarity to fresh fruit juice in taste, flavor, and beneficial nutrients. As a commonly used technology in fruit juice production, high-pressure homogenization (HPH) can enhance the commercial value of juice by improving the color, flavor, taste, and nutrient contents. In this study, the effects of HPH on the pectin structural properties and stability of NFC orange juice were investigated. The correlations between HPH-induced changes in the structure of pectin and the stability of orange juice were revealed. Compared with non-homogenized orange juice, HPH increased the galacturonic acid (GalA) content and the linearity of pectin, while decreasing the molecular weight (Mw), pectin branching, and rhamnogalacturonan (RG) contribution, and cracks and pores of different sizes formed on the surface of pectin, implying depolymerization. Meanwhile, with increasing pressure and number homogenization of passes, HPH effectively improved the stability of NFC orange juice. HPH can effectively prevent the stratification of orange juice, thereby promoting consumer acceptance and endowing a higher commercial value. The improvement of the stability of NFC orange juice by HPH was related to the structural properties of pectin. Turbidity was significantly (P < 0.01) positively correlated with GalA and pectin linearity, but was significantly (P < 0.01) negatively correlated with Mw, RG contribution, and pectin branching. Modification of pectin structure can improve the stability of NFC orange juice. In this work, the relationship between the pectin structure and stability of NFC orange juice is elucidated, providing a path toward improving consumer acceptance and enhancing the palatability and nutritional and functional qualities of orange juice. Manufacturers can use this relationship to modify pectin directionally and produce high-quality NFC orange juice beverages.

Physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of pectin from hawthorn wine pomace: A comparison of different extraction methods

In the paper, to enhance the value and utilization rate of hawthorn wine pomace waste, four kinds of pectin were gained from hawthorn wine pomace by hydrochloric acid method (HA-HP), citric acid method (CA-HP), cellulase method (E-HP) and microwave-assisted chelating agent method (MH-HP). The physical and chemical properties of extracted hawthorn pectin were analyzed, however, different extraction methods lead to different characteristics of extracted pectin samples. We found that the extracted hawthorn pectin was all low-methoxy pectin, and the highest extraction yield of 72.89% with high ash (9.20%) was obtained by the MH-HP method, while the galacturonic acid (Gal A) content was up to 72.24% after dealing with the CA-HP method which was the highest among the four samples, besides, the quality of gel formed by E-HP method was the best. What's more, the four extracted samples all reveled degrees of antioxidant activity with dose-dependent in vitro antioxidant, and it was CA-HP method had the best antioxidant activity, making this the first comprehensive research describing the extracting pectin from hawthorn wine pomace. This research also provides a base for industrial production of high-value products from low-cost raw materials.

Simultaneous extraction optimization and characterization of pectin and phenolics from sour cherry pomace

In the present study, the effect of microwave-assisted extraction conditions on the simultaneous recovery of pectin and phenolic compounds from sour cherry pomace (SCP) was optimized. The results showed that maximum yield of pectin (14.65 ± 0.39%) and phenolic compounds (14.36 ± 0.29%) was obtained under microwave power of 800 W, irradiation time of 300 s, pH of 1.00 and LSR of 20 v/w. The resulting pectin under the mentioned conditions had the moisture, ash and protein content, and also total carbohydrates of ~8.32, ~3.73, ~1.41 and ~26.43%, respectively. Also, the obtained pectin with the molecular weight of 472.977 kDa and total phenol content of 91.54 ± 2.92 mg GAE/g pectin had a high purity (galacturonic acid content of ~72.86%) and suitable thermal stability (degradation temperature of 252.15 °C) and also could be classified as HMP (DE of 68.37 ± 2.78%). The FTIR, 1H NMR and XRD analysis indicated that the obtained sample was rich in esterified poly-galacturonic acid and had an amorphous structure. The phenolic compounds analysis showed that the SCP extract had a concentration-dependent antioxidant effect that was comparable with ascorbic acid and BHA at high concentrations.

Formation and Stability of Emulsions Prepared with a Water-Soluble Extract from the Microalga Chlorella protothecoides

Unicellular microalgae are a valuable source of macro- and micronutrients. They contain, for example, proteins that are potentially useful as new emulsifiers. The aim of this study was to investigate the emulsifying properties of a less-refined lyophilized crude water-soluble extract (WSE), obtained from the heterotrophically cultivated microalga Chlorella protothecoides. Interfacial tension measurements indicated that mainly the proteins in the extract showed interfacial activity. O/W emulsions were prepared by high-pressure homogenization (1 000 bar, 3 passes) with 5.0 wt % of oil and 2.5 wt % of protein from Chlorella protothecoides, resulting in emulsions having a volume-based mean droplet diameter of d₄₃ ≤ 1 μm and being stable for at least 7 days. Two different stress tests showed that ( i) protein-stabilized emulsions were resistant to very high salt concentrations (up to 500 mM NaCl), and ( ii) emulsions were stable over a very broad pH range of 2-9, with only minor changes in the particle size d₄₃ (e.g. with an increase of only 300 nm when the pH was lowered from 5 to 4) compared to whey protein-stabilized emulsions. All WSE emulsions had monomodal particle size distributions and were macro- and microscopically stable during a storage of up to 7 days. The results indicate that the WSE of Chlorella protothecoides has remarkably good emulsifying properties and might be of use as a new emulsifier in various applications in which emulsions are exposed to a broad range of ionic strengths and pH values.

Study on the Emulsifying Properties of Pomegranate Peel Pectin from Different Cultivation Areas

Pomegranate peel pectin is an important acidic anionic plant polysaccharide which can be used as a natural emulsifier. In order to study its emulsifying properties, this paper systematically analyses pomegranate peel pectin samples from Chinese Xinjiang, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, through rheometer, interfacial rheometer, Zetasizer Nano-ZS and mastersizer. It is shown that pomegranate peel pectin can effectively reduce the oil-water interfacial tension, reaching an emulsion droplet size of only 0.507 μm, 0.669 μm and 0.569 μm, respectively, while the pectin concentration is 1.5% and the oil phase (MCT) is 10%. It has also shown that the extreme conditions of pH and ion strength can not significantly change its emulsion stability. However, freeze-thaw cycles can cause the pomegranate peel pectin emulsion to become less stable. Furthermore, the effects of decolourization, protein removal and dialysis on the emulsifying properties of pomegranate peel pectin are investigated using mastersizer rheometer and interfacial rheometer. It is found that the protein and pigment in pomegranate peel pectin have little effect on its emulsifying properties, while the results from dialyzed pectin show that the small molecule substances can reduce the emulsion particle size and increase the emulsion stability. The research outcomes of this study provide technical support for the further application of pomegranate peel pectin in the food industry.

Development of a Low-Cost and Effective Trapping Device for Apple Maggot Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) Monitoring and Control in Mexican Commercial Hawthorn Groves

Few efforts have been made in Mexico to monitor Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in commercial hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) crops. Therefore, the main objectives of this study were to evaluate infestation levels of R. pomonella in feral and commercial Mexican hawthorn and to assess the efficacy of different trap-lure combinations to monitor the pest. Wild hawthorn was more infested than commercially grown hawthorn at the sample site. No differences among four commercial baits (Biolure, ammonium carbonate, CeraTrap, and Captor + borax) were detected when used in combination with a yellow sticky gel (SG) adherent trap under field conditions. However, liquid lures elicited a slightly higher, although not statistically different, capture. Cage experiments in the laboratory revealed that flies tended to land more often on the upper and middle than lower-bottom part of polyethylene (PET) bottle traps with color circles. Among red, orange, green, and yellow circles attached to a bottle trap, only yellow circles improved fly captures compared with a colorless trap. A PET bottle trap with a red circle over a yellow background captured more flies than a similar trap with yellow circles. An SG adherent yellow panel trap baited with ammonium carbonate was superior to the improved PET bottle trap (red over a yellow background) baited with different liquid proteins, but a higher proportion of females and no differences in fly detection were measured in PET traps baited with protein lures. These trials open the door for future research into development of a conventional nonadherent trap to monitor or control R. pomonella.

Emerging concepts in the nutraceutical and functional properties of pectin-A Review

Pectin is a structural heteropolysaccharide found ubiquitously in terrestrial plants. It finds diverse food applications such as that of a gelling agent, stabilizer, and fat replacer. In the pharmaceutical arena, pectin exhibits a number of functions, from decreasing blood fat to combating various types of cancers. This review shows the shift of pectin from its conventional roles to its progressive applications. Insights into the advances in the production of pectin, the role it plays as a nutraceutical, possible prebiotic potential and a delivery vehicle for probiotics, and food applications are highlighted. Bioactive and functional properties of pectin are discussed and how the structural built up defines them, is emphasized. As a biopolymer, the applications of pectin in active packaging are also mentioned.