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Usage

Uses

Used in Food Industry:
Pectic acid is used as a gelling agent for jams, jellies, and other food products. It provides the desired texture and stability to these products.
Used in Pharmaceutical Industry:
Pectic acid is used as a pharmaceutical excipient, particularly in the formulation of tablets and capsules. It enhances the stability and bioavailability of the active ingredients.
Used in Cosmetic Industry:
Pectic acid is used as a thickening agent and stabilizer in cosmetic products, such as creams, lotions, and gels. It improves the texture and consistency of these products.
Used in Textile Industry:
Pectic acid is used as a fiber in the textile industry. It forms strong resilient films and fibers, making it suitable for various applications, such as clothing, upholstery, and other textiles.
Used in Biomedical Applications:
Pectic acid is used in the development of hydrogels for tissue engineering and drug delivery systems. Its ability to gel in the presence of divalent cations makes it a promising candidate for these applications.

Purification Methods

Citrus pectic acid (500g) is refluxed for 18hours with 1.5L of 70% EtOH, and the suspension is filtered hot. The residue is washed with hot 70% EtOH and finally with ether. It is dried in a current of air, ground and dried for 18hours at 80o under vacuum. [Morell & Link J Biol Chem 100 385 1933.] It can be further purified by dispersing it in water and adding just enough dilute NaOH to dissolve the pectic acid, then passing the solution through columns of cation-and anion-exchange resins [Williams & Johnson Ind Eng Chem (Anal Ed) 16 23 1944], and precipitating with two volumes of 95% EtOH containing 0.01% HCl. The precipitate is worked with 95% EtOH, then Et2O, dried and ground. [Rees & Walsh Angew Chem Int Edn 16 214 1977, Rees Adv Carbohydr Chem 24 267 1969.]