Author : Gragasin, Ma. Cristina B.; Ligisan, Aileen R.; Capariño, Ofero A.

Summary : A pilot-scale processing system for the production of pharmaceutical grade pectin from mango peels was established and assessed to verify its technical requirements and performance. The processing plant was put-up in one of the mango processing plants in Mandaue City through participatory action research. It was comprised of the following components: drying mango peels in a cabinet-type mechanical dryer for four to five hours at 70°C, solubilization of mango peels twice with acidified water (pH=2.5) using steam-jacketed kettle at 100°C for 90 and 60 minutes, respectively, pressing/filtration of pectic liquor using mechanical screw press, precipitation of pectic liquor with ethanol (1:2) in stainless tank, washing of pectic coagulum four times with ethanol, drying of pectin in mechanical cabinet-type dryer at 60°C for at least 30 minutes, and pulverization of pectin into 120 um particle size using electric pulverizer and astm sieve. The physico-chemical properties of pectin from mango peels met the specifications of US Pharmacopeia for pharmaceutical grade pectin. It has higher methoxyl content that shows good spreading quality and sugar binding capacity, firmer gel due to high degree of esterification. Pectin with at least 50% degree of esterification is used for food application. Higher galacturonic acid content of pectin from mango peels denotes its higher purity. The gel grade of pectin from mango peels was similar to that of pharmaceutical grade apple pectin indicating good functionality. Therefore, upscale pectin processing is technically feasible. It can be adopted for commercial scale production.