Enzyme assay for identification of pectin and pectin derivatives, based on recombinant pectate lyase

A simple method was developed for fast identification of pectin, based on a recombinant endopectate lyase cloned from Aspergillus niger. When pectin was demethylated and treated with pectate lyase, beta-elimination occurred, resulting in a double bond between C-4 and C-5 in the galacturonic acid residue of the released nonreducing end. The formation of double bonds produced an increase in light absorption, which was detected at 235 nm. The assay was tested on pectin of different origins (apple, orange, sugar beet, sunflower, celery, lemon), pectin derivatives (amidated pectin), and speciality types such as low molecular weight and low %DE (degree of esterification, percentage of galacturonic acid groups esterified with methanol) pectin. The highest response was given by pectate (pectin with %DE< 5) and the lowest by pectin extracted from sugar beet. No other gums (carboxymethylcellulose, carrageenan, locust bean gum, tragacanth, gellan, tamarind, xanthan, amylogum, sodium alginate, or agar) gave any response. Members of IPPA (International Pectin Producers Association) have evaluated the validity of the assay in a ring test. All members of the Association were able to identify pectin from other gums in a blind test. The method can replace more laborious and ambiguous identification tests which exist today.