Comparison of ultrasound-assisted and conventional extraction for recovery of pectin from Gac (Momordica cochinchinensis) pulp

• Published in: Future foods : a dedicated journal for sustainability in food science Vol. 4; p. 100074
• Main Authors: Tran, Thuy T B, Saifullah, Md, Nguyen, Ngan H, Nguyen, Minh H, Vuong, Quan V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.12.2021; Elsevier
• Subjects: Extraction; Gac pulp; Pectin; Ultrasound; Pectin; Extraction; Ultrasound; Gac pulp
• ISSN: 2666-8335; 2666-8335
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fufo.2021.100074

•Gac pulp (GP) is a potential source for low-methoxyl pectin.•pH is the most influencing factor for recovery of pectin from GP.•Optimal acidic hot water extraction (AHWE): 90 °C, 100 min, 50 mL/g and pH of 1.5.•Optimal ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE): 35 min, pH of 1.5 and power of 200 W.•UAE is more efficient in recovery of pectin with a shorter time than AHWE. Gac (Momordica cochinchinensis) is commercially used for production of Gac oil. Gac pulp, which accounts for 40-50% of fruit weight, is major by-product. This study aimed to optimise extraction conditions including pH, temperature, time, ratio and ultrasonic power for recovery of pectin from Gac pulp, and compare its properties using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and acidic hot water extraction (AHWE) techniques, the typical advanced and conventional techniques for pectin extraction. Response surface methodology with Box-Behnken design was applied for both techniques. The results showed that pH was the most influential factor. Optimal AHWE conditions were identified at 90°C for 100 min with solvent to sample ratio of 50 mL/g and pH of 1.5, while optimal UAE conditions were 35 min, pH of 1.5, and ultrasonic power of 200 W. The recovery yield of pectin from UAE (53.80% ± 6.04) was significantly higher than that of AHWE (42.97%± 5.08). Pectin obtained from two techniques were low methoxyl pectin (DE < 50%) with good solubility, potent free radical scavenging capacity, and similar structure. As UAE has advantages of short extraction time, more efficient recovery of pectin with better properties, UAE is recommended for recovery of pectin from Gac pulp for further applications.