Production Methods

Pectin is obtained from the diluted acid extract from the inner portion of the rind of citrus fruits or from apple pomace.

World Health Organization (WHO)

Pectin is a purified carbohydrate product isolated from the rinds of citrus fruits or green apples. Its major constituent is polygalacteronic acid, and it is almost completely digested and absorbed in the intestine. Pectin became popular as a simple remedy for diarrhoea in the early 1900s. It does not affect the frequency of stool or stool weight. Use of such products diverts attention away from more important aspects of treatment, such as rehydration, proper nutrition and in the case of cholera and dysentery, appropriate antibiotics.

Pharmaceutical Applications

present in multi-ingredient preparations for the management of diarrhea, constipation, and obesity;it has also been used as an emulsion stabilizer. Experimentally, pectin has been used in gel formulations for the oral sustained delivery of ambroxol.Pectin gel beads have been shown to be an effective medium for controlling the release of a drug within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.It has also been used in a colon-biodegradable pectin matrix with a pH-sensitive polymeric coating, which retards the onset of drug release, overcoming the problems of pectin solubility in the upper GI tract.Amidated pectin matrix patches have been investigated for the transdermal delivery of chloroquine,and gelling pectin formulations for the oral sustained delivery of paracetamol have been investigated in situ.Pectin-based matrices with varying degrees of esterification have been evaluated as oral controlled-release tablets. Lowmethoxy pectins were shown to have a release rate more sensitive to the calcium content of the formulation.Pectins have been used as a component in the preparation of mixed polymer microsphere systems with the intention of producing controlled drug release.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Pectin, a heterosaccharide component of terrestrial plant cell walls, is used as a substrate to identify, differentiate and characterized pectinase(s). Pectin is used to study its degradation by pectinolytic bacteria.

Safety Profile

Low toxicity by subcutaneous route. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.

Safety

Pectin is used in oral pharmaceutical formulations and food products, and is generally regarded as an essentially nontoxic and nonirritant material. Low toxicity by the subcutaneous route has been reported. LD50 (mouse, SC): 6.4 g/kg

storage

Pectin is a nonreactive and stable material; it should be stored in a cool, dry place.

Purification Methods

Dissolve the pectin in hot water to give a 1% solution, then cool, and make it to about 0.05M in HCl by addition of conc HCl, and precipitate it by pouring it slowly, with vigorous stirring into two volumes of 95% EtOH. After standing for several hours, the pectin is filtered through a nylon cloth, then redispersed in 95% EtOH and stood overnight. The precipitate is filtered off, washed with EtOH/Et2O, then Et2O and dried in air. [Rees & Walsh Angew Chem, Int Edn 16 214 1977, Rees Adv Carbohydr Chem 24 267 1969.]

Regulatory Status

GRAS listed. Accepted for use as a food additive in Europe. Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredients Database (dental paste; oral powders; topical pastes). Included in the Canadian List of Acceptable Non-medicinal Ingredients. Included in nonparenteral medicines licensed in the UK.

Brand name

Adm;Arhemapectin;Astriharina s;Betaine digestive aid;Bio hubber fuerte;Biskapect;Chloropect;Collodyne;Dexinca;Diacalm;Diaguard forte;Diareze;Diarrhosan d;Diastat;Diban diet complex 1500;Diet-trim;Donnagel pg capsule;Donnagel-mb;Donnagel-pg;Enterolyte;Estreptokectil;Estreptonetrol;Estreptoral;Estreptosirup;Fiblet;H.e.c;Kaomagma with pectin;Kaomycin;Kaoneo;Kaopectate n;Kaopectin;Kaoprompt-h;Kao-spen;Kaostaten;Kln;Medipect;Neopec;Norquinol;Noventerol;Orahesive;Pectigels;Pectrolyte;Peterpect;Pomana a;Salvacolina nn;Sorbitoxin;Streptomagma;Varihesive.

General Description

Pectin is a polysaccharide is rich in galacturonic acid and possesses a complex structure and function.

Agricultural Uses

Pectin is a high molecular weight polyuronide. It is related to the carbohydrate family and is present in fruits and berries. Pectin occurs in varying amounts in fruits and plants. It contains carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, and on hydrolysis, yields glycosides and galachronic acid. It can form a gel when it absorbs water. Commercially, the primary source of the commonly used pectin is lemon and lime peel; other citrus fruits l i e orange and grapefruit may also be used. Pectin is widely used in the food industry, principally in gel preparation. Pectin is also used in making drugs, protective colloids, emulsifying agents, etc.