Abstract

OVERVIEW ON SIGNIFICANCE OF PECTIN IN HEALTH CARE

Sajani Raju*, V.N.Raju Erumalla and Chenna Swetha

Abstract

Pectin, a naturally occurring polysaccharide, has in recent years gained increasingly in importance. The benefits of natural pectin are also more and more appreciated by scientists and consumer due to its biodegradability. Pectin is the methylated ester of polygalacturonic acid. It is commercially extracted from citrus peels and apple pomace under slightly acidic conditions. Pectins are divided into two major groups on the basis of their degree of esterification. The association of pectin chains leads to the formation of the three dimensional networks that is to gel formation. The pectin, by itself or by its gelling properties, was employed in immunostimulating activity, antimetastasis activity, anti-ulcer activity and anti-nephrosis activity.This review will discuss the significance of pectins on health care.

Keywords: Pectin, Biodegradability, Immunostimulating activity, Anti-metastasis activity, Anti-ulcer activity.