Development and Evaluation of Pectin extracted from Citrus sinensis peel and micro/nanocellulose from the solid fraction of citrus wastes.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Benha university, Cairo, Egypt.

2 Cellulose and paper Department, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt, P.O. 12622

3 Packaging Materials Department, National Research Centre, 33 El Bohouth St. (former El Tahrir St.), Dokki, Giza, P.O. 12622, Egypt.

4 Field crops Research Department., National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt, P.O. 12622

Abstract

Pectin, a biopolymer that occurs naturally in plants, has a wide range of applications in various industries. The aim of the current study is to extract pectin through acid hydrolysis using sulfuric acid from orange waste, also extraction of micro/nanocellulose from the solid fraction of citrus wastes. Investigate the effects of multiple variables such as temperature, time, and pH to reach the optimum conditions for the highest pectin yield. The extracted pectin and micro/nanocellulose were characterized using FTIR, XRD, TEM, scanning electron microscope, and determination of the degree of esterification of pectin. It was found through our study that different parameters such as temperature, pH, and time effect on the pectin yield, where temperature (80, 90, 100)°C , time (60, 90, 120) min, and pH ( from 1.5-2.0), So we found that the pectin yield at its best result was 16.9 %, At which (temp 90 °C ,time 90 min, pH 1.5). Determination of degree of esterification of extracted pectin recorded 83 which is suitable value.

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