Question

Primary cell wall and the intercellular layer of plant cells. Pectin provides strength and firmness to the plant tissues and is consumed by humans as a natural diet in the form of fruits and vegetables though it does not possess any nutritional value.

Answer 1

Introduction

Pectin is a high-molecular-weight carbohydrate polymer which is present in virtually all plants where it contributes to the cell structure. The term pectin covers a number of polymers which vary according to their molecular weight, chemical configuration, and content of neutral sugars, and different plant types produce pectin with different functional properties. The word ‘pectin’ comes from the Greek word pektos which means firm and hard, reflecting pectin's ability to form gels.

The gelling properties of pectin have been known for centuries, but the isolation of commercial pectin only started at the beginning of the twentieth century. In this document we highlight the chemistry, origin and production, and the functional