GB453877A - A method of treating pectin to alter the inherent setting time characteristics thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The setting time of pectin is altered by treating a pectin sol with an acidic reagent, or by treating a pectinous material such as apple pomace or citrus peel with an acidic reagent but without extraction of the pectin. The treatment must not be so prolonged as to destroy the gel-forming capacity of the pectin. The reagent may be an organic or inorganic acid, or a gas exerting an acidic action, e.g. chlorine, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen sulphide, sulphur dioxide or trioxide. The gases may be applied under elevated pressure. The pH during treatment may lie between 0,1 and 2,5. The temperature should be below 85 DEG C. Treatment of a pectin sol may be effected by leaving extracted pectin to stand in contact with the extracting acid. Pectinous material such as pomace may be treated with hydrogen chloride gas, alone or dissolved in alcohol or benzol, with acid methyl sulphate alone, or with acid in the presence of an organic liquid, e.g. methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl or amyl alcohols, ether, diethylene glycol acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, acetyl chloride, ethyl acetate, acid methyl sulphate, aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, glycols, ketones, aldehydes, amines or ethers. Inert gases may also be used as carriers. Water-soluble carriers may be slightly diluted with water. On conclusion of the treatment, the material is separated from the treating agent and is washed, if desired in the presence of an alkali or buffering agent. It is found that in the early stages of the treatment, the setting time is extended, but a prolonged treatment causes a decrease in the extended setting time. Specification 239,635, [Class 121], is referred to.