Yield and some chemical properties of pectin extracted from the peels of dragon fruit [Hylocereus polyrhizus (Weber) Britton and Rose].

摘要

Dragon fruit [Hylocereus polyrizus (Weber) Britton and Rose] peels, a by-product of food processing, were investigated as an alternative source of pectin. Dried dragon fruit peels were extracted at pH 5 using citric acid and sulphuric acid, and the resulting pectin extracts were analyzed for yield and some chemical parameters. Results showed that extraction with 0.1 M sulphuric acid gave higher degree of amidation (12.90%) but lower degree of esterification (15.92%). The two extraction conditions did not show impact on the measurement of yield, galacturonic acid, degree of acetylation, moisture content and ash content. The results indicate the commercial significance of dragon fruit pectin.