Pectin from muskmelon (Cucumis melo var. reticulatus) peels: extraction optimization and physicochemical properties

Pectin derived from plant waste sources is currently focused as an economical and eco-friendly approach. Optimization of pectin extraction from muskmelon peel by response surface methodology (RSM) was investigated in this study. Box-Behnken Design (BBD) was used to identify the optimal level of the extraction variables such as time, pH and temperature. A second-order model equation for pectin extraction was obtained from multiple regression analysis of experimental data with the correlation coefficient (R ²) value of 0.92. ANOVA results showed that linear effect of temperature and combined effect of pH with temperature were found significant for pectin extraction from muskmelon peel. Validation results had good agreement with the predicted results. Pectin extracted from muskmelon peel was classed as high methoxy pectin with the equivalent weight of 384.5 g/mol. Non-newtonian pseudoplastic flow behaviour was observed for muskmelon pectin from the viscosity studies.