pH Dependent Determination of Charge and Surface Tension of Aqueos Pectin Solutions

Abstract

The natural product pectin, which is also obtained by products such as wet pomace of the fruit juice industry, is a polyanion with a medium charge density, comparable with commercial synthetic polyanions. Depending on the product type and pH the solutions are stable over days or even weeks, so that their suitability for technical purposes, such as flocculation is given. Due to the negative charge of the pectins usage in the form of dual systems (in combination with polycations or salts) or preformed polyelectrolyte complexes could be promising. The surface activity in water is low, but is enhanced by the addition of CaCl2, so that hydrophobic interactions of the pectins with higher ester content can be exploited.