Pectin extraction from lime pomace by cold-active polygalacturonase-assisted method

An Antarctic yeast was cultivated to produce and enzymatic extract with polygalacturonase activity, whose biochemical properties were studied. It assisted pectin extraction from lime pomace at 20 °C. The extract produced by Tausonia pullulans 8E had an optimum temperature of 40 °C and optimum pH of 5.0. At 20 °C, it displayed 54% of relative activity. A good pH-stability and thermostability were observed. Hg⁺² and Co⁺² inhibited its activity in 40 and 11%, respectively. Pectin was obtained from lime pomace at 20 °C, with 15% of yield after 120 min extraction. Uronic acid (46%) and neutral sugars (53%) were determined. Pectin's molecular weight was estimated in the order of 100,000 g mol^-1. By anion-exchange chromatography, pectin-linked and free neutral sugars were observed. The high-methoxyl pectin was used to prepare low-calorie gels. It was demonstrated that this cold-active enzyme allows enzymatic-assisted pectin extraction at 20 °C.