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The Effect of Extraction and Purification of Pectin from the Fruit Peel Wastes of Mango

and Orange: Composition, Structure, Functionality, and Antioxidant Properties of Pectin

Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Pectin is a kind of polysaccharide with a complex structure that consists of a main chain

and a side chain. The main chain has a linear structure that is composed of 1,4-linked-a-d-

galacturonic acid (Gal A), and the side chain contains many neutral sugars (Wicker et al., 2014;

Qiu et al., 2009; Maktouf et al., 2014). Pectin is widely used in food processing as a thickener,

stabilizer, emulsifier, filler, gelling agent, fat replacer and texture modifier due to its gelation

property (Qiu et al., 2009; Candogan and Kolsarici, 2003; Kim et al., 2016). In recent years,

pectin has also been used in the biomedical, pharmaceutical (Qiu et al., 2009; Dranca and

Oroian, 2018) and functional materials fields (Mohanapriya et al., 2020; Murthy and

KumarShah, 2017; Wang et al., 2019). However, fruit peel, the main source of pectin, usually

contains flavonoids, limonin compounds, carotenoids, phenolic acids, dietary fiber, and pigments

that can also dissolve together with the pectin. Therefore, impurity removal and pectin

purification are the most important operations after extraction, which significantly affect its

quality and properties, such as color, chemical composition, average molecular weight and

gelling ability (Yapo, 2009). The pursuit of high-quality pectin production has become one of the

research focuses currently.

Primary processing of fruits such as mango and orange results in the accumulation of

waste by-products such as leaves, peels, pomace, skins, rinds, and cores. These solid wastes from

food processing companies are currently being managed either by returning them to the land

through sanitary and semi-engineered landfilling, open dumping, spreading or incineration

(UNESCAP, 2017). However, most of these solid wastes contain biodegradable organic matter.

Inadequate disposal of these wastes causes serious environmental problems. Aside from leaching

organic or chemical components, which may contaminate the soil and underground water, solid

wastes produce gas, specifically methane and carbon dioxide, which can add to the increasing

problem of greenhouse gasses (Hawkins, 2006). Around 1 million tons of fruit side streams

(fruit waste) are generated each year at Dole’s plantations in the Philippines, which equates to

approximately 50,000 40-foot containers (DOLE Sunshine Co., 2021). In particular, mangoes are

in-demand fruits in the market either as fresh produce or in processed form (i.e. juices, purees

and ready-to-serve beverages). According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (2018) mangoes

produced waste up to 43,000–54,000 MT between 2012 and 2017. In the Philippines, pectin is

supplied through importation as both the raw materials (from apple and citrus peels).

According to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in 2011, imports of pectin

amounted to a little over P2 billion to supply the total pectin needs of pharmaceutical, cosmetics,

and food processing industries.The extraction of pectin from mango and orange peels and the

effects of pH and extraction time on the yield and quality of pectin were studied. It is observed

that not only the method of pectin extraction but also the type of fruit and even some of the

physico-chemical properties of pectin vary. The most important characteristics studied were

yield, equivalent weight, methoxyl content, and setting time. Pectin is commercially derived
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from pumpkin peel, apple pomace, and guava peels; however, the present attempt was made to

extract and evaluate pectin from mango and orange peel.

Pectin is utilized as a biomaterial in the transport of genes (Katav et al., 2008), the

delivery of drugs orally (Sriamornsak, 2011), the topcoat of consumable food packaging

(Norziah, 2011), the yield of biomass, and biorefining (Ishii et al., 2001, Nakamura et al., 2002).

One of the interesting fields of research is the merging of natural and synthetic polymers,

which results in novel polymeric materials with improved stability and resilience (Koubala et al.,

2014). Polymer films are used to create products such as sponge, hydrogels, and drug-

encapsulating materials. Scientists have begun to create bio-based materials rather than synthetic

ones due to the creation and research of natural polymers (Liu et al., 2007). This movement is

primarily growing environmental concerns and worries about the extensive usage of plastic.

Pectin films are utilized in medicines, food encapsulation, and thickening (Huang et al., 2017).

In the present study, natural polymers are chosen over other types in biomedical

applications, particularly in the context of drug delivery systems, attributable to both inert nature

and biocompatibility. Due to its abilities to form gel in acidic conditions, to adhere to mucous

membranes, and to disintegrate in basic environments, pectin as a natural polymer has recently

received much interest for use in drug delivery. Pectin's properties are used in a variety of ways.

Gene therapy is a term used to describe the process of treating genetic disorders since it targets

the deficient genes that cause the disorders. These genetic traits can be replaced, their expression

can be silenced, or lacking genes can be filled in using viral or non-viral vectors (Wai et al.,

2010).

Due to its rising consumption on the global market and overall manufacturing capability

of between 45 and 50 million tonnes annually, pectin is one of the most significant
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polysaccharides. Although the demand was between 140 and 160 million tonnes annually in

2011, this sophisticated polysaccharide processing nevertheless piqued industry awareness

(Valdes et al.,2015). Pectins have drawn a lot of interest as a high-fiber food that improves health

by lowering cholesterol and blood sugar levels as well as engaging as an agent of anticancer

(Mishra et al., 2012). Pectins are frequently employed for numerous bio-medical applications

and have demonstrated promising outcomes as medication carriers for oral drug administration

(Liu, 2004). Furthermore, pectin has been characterized as a newly developing prebiotic with the

capacity to control colon flora (Pacheco et al., 2019). All-in-all, if we are going to evaluate and

consider the ups and downs of Pectin it has a full potential not only for our medical fields but

also for our future.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to evaluate the effect of extracting and purifying pectin from mango and

orange fruit peel wastes, considering its composition, structure, functionality, and antioxidant

characteristics.

This research seeks to answer the following questions.

1. What are the fundamental aspects of the biodegradation of polymers?

2. How to stabilize hydrophobicity properties of the developed materials in bioplastic?

3. What are the effects of extracting Pectin from the Fruit Peel Wastes of Mango and

Orange?

4. What are the effects of purifying Pectin from the Fruit Peel Wastes of Mango and

Orange?

5. What are the antioxidant characteristics that affect the extracting and purifying pectin

from mango and orange fruit peel wastes?

6. What is the effect of different acids on pectin extraction?

7. What are the factors affecting the gelling ability and gel strength of pectin?
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8. What are the pectin characteristics that possess to be used as a polymer in drug

development?

9. Why do the optimum temperature, extraction time and pH show a significant effect on

the pectin?

10. What are the factors affecting the evolution of extraction and purifying pectin in medical

fields?

11. What is an extraction and purifying pectin?

11.1 Historical background

11.2 How it works

11.3 Significance 

11.4 Components

12. Is there a significant difference in the pectin level of mango and orange fruit peel wastes?

13. Is there a significant difference in the functionality of non-purified pectin and purified

pectin?
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Hypotheses
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Significance of the Study

This study aims to examine the content, structure, functionality, and antioxidant features

of pectin extracted and purified from mango and orange fruit peel wastes. The findings of this

study will be beneficial to the following:

Patients with Gastrointestinal Problems. This study will establish a benchmark for the

relevance of extracted and purified pectin derived from mango and orange peel wastes in

relieving the risk of diarrhea and constipation. If demonstrated beneficial, this will lead to

preventive measures and alternative remedy approaches.

Hyperglycemic Patients. This research will establish a benchmark for the potential water-

soluble fibers characteristic of extracted and purified pectin derived from mango and orange peel

waste to lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels. If beneficial, this will contribute to the

development of alternative therapeutic interventions.

Pharmaceutical Industry. This study intends to establish a basis for the utilization of pectin as

an excipient in pharmaceutical formulations for various purposes. Hence, pharmacological

innovation will emerge.

Medical Doctor. This research will enable the introduction of a novel medicinal approach for

mitigating gastrointestinal disorders and managing cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

Medical Laboratory Science/ Medical Technologist. This study will provide a source for

medical technologists undertaking research on the characteristics of pectin. It will also serve as a

resource for the development of standard protocols for carrying out such research.

Students. This research will act as a guideline for researching the properties of pectin and its

functionality in different fields.

Future Researchers. This study will serve as a foundation for further investigations into the

characteristics and functions of pectin in other sectors.

Scope and Limitations

The general intent of this study is to produce environment-friendly bioplastic from

renewable biomass sources and materials. The study will only be conducted within the premises

of the School Laboratory.

The researchers will be using two (2) fruits, oranges & mangoes, that are high in

cellulose which is abundant in nature, have biodegradability, mechanical properties, and cost-

effectiveness. The process consists of twelve (12) experimental phases: (1) Collection and

cleaning of the fruits, (2) Peeling, (3) Cutting into small pieces, (4) Placing it on a beaker, (5)

Water bath consisting of 4.5 pH at 93-98°C, (6) Mixing, (7) Filtering using a cloth, then a funnel,

(8) Skim off pectin, (9) Purify with acetone or chloroform, (10) Stirred to form precipitate, (11)

Complete filtration of the solution, (12) Drying.

This study will not cover other problems that are not related to producing bioplastic and

is only limited to the preparation and extraction of pectin from fruit wastes and its corresponding

processes only.

Definition of Terms:

Pectin

Pectin is a type of starch, called a heteropolysaccharide, that occurs naturally in the cell walls of

fruits and vegetables and gives them structure. It is a highly valued food ingredient commonly

used as a gelling agent and stabilizer.

Antioxidant

Antioxidants can prevent the oxidative stress caused by environmental pollution, exposure to

chemical pesticides or drugs, radiation, consumption of processed foods and certain additives.

Bioplastic

Bioplastics are plastics derived from natural resources like corn starch, biomass, sugarcane

bagasse, and food waste. These are relatively less harmful to the environment.
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Prebiotic

Prebiotics are functional food ingredients that assist probiotic growth and render many other

health benefits.

Pectin Polysaccharide

Pectin polysaccharides have been extensively used as a functional ingredient in the food industry

and also in non-food industries during the production of cosmetics, packaging materials or

pharmaceuticals.

Natural polymers

It occurs in nature and can be extracted. They are often water-based; these are silk, wool, DNA,

cellulose and proteins.

Incineration

Incineration is a waste treatment process that involves the combustion of substances contained in

waste materials.
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