The structure-property relationships of acid- and alkali-extracted grapefruit peel pectins

Structure and properties of pectin can be affected by extraction methods. In this study, grapefruit peel pectins extracted by HCl (at pH 1 [P1], 2 [P2], and 3 [P3]) and NaOH (at pH 9 [P9], 10 [P10], and 11 [P11]) were prepared and characterized. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) provided direct evidence of complex nano-structural patterns of pectins and revealed cross-linked networks of P10 and P11. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) demonstrated that P1, P2, and P3 possessed a relatively extended conformation, whereas P9, P10, and P11 displayed a three-dimensional structure and folded conformation. The compact and extended conformations of P3 contributed to its high viscosity in solution and the stability of the formed emulsion (75%). Porous surface and larger three-dimensional nanostructure (D_max: 23 nm) of P10 facilitated its ion-binding capacity. Our results provide valuable insight into relationship between extraction methods and structure-properties of pectin, facilitating design of functional pectins.