Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 19, 2025

Preparation of Biopolymer Aerogels Using Green Solvents
Published on: July 4, 2016
Structural properties of diluted alkali-soluble pectin from Pyrus communis L. in water and salt solutions
Jolanta Cieśla1, Magdalena Koczańska1, Piotr Pieczywek1
1Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Doświadczalna 4, 20-290 Lublin, Poland.
Abstract:
The self-assembly and gelation of low-methoxyl diluted alkali-soluble pectin (LM DASP) from pear fruit (Pyrus communis L. cv. Conference) was studied in water and salt solutions (NaCl and CaCl2, constant ionic strength) without pH adjustment at 20 °C. The samples at different LM DASP concentrations were characterized using rheological tests, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, dual-angle dynamic light scattering and atomic force microscopy. LM DASP from pear fruit (Pyrus communis L.) showed gelling ability. The indices (aggregation index and shape factor) based on light scattering may be useful for the characterization of structural changes in polysaccharide suspension, particularly for the determination of a gel point. The results obtained may be important for the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries where pectin is used as a texturizer, an encapsulating agent, a carrier of bioactive substances or a gelling agent.
Related Concept Videos
Cellulose and Pectic Polysaccharides
As a cell matures, its cell wall specializes according to its type. For example, the...
Solubility
A solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of a solvent, the major component, and a solute, the minor component. The physical state of a solution—solid, liquid, or gas—is typically the same as that of the solvent. Solute concentrations are often described with qualitative terms such as dilute (of relatively low concentration) and concentrated (of relatively high concentration).
In a solution, the solute particles (molecules,...
Solvating Effects
Electrolyte and Nonelectrolyte Solutions
Solvents
A...
Molecular Shape and Polarity

