Orange residue pectin applying the 3R principle.

Abstract

The purpose of the investigation is,evaluate the performance and characteristics of the pectin extracted from residues of sweet
orange peels (Citrus sinensis L), on a laboratory scale, applying the 3R principle (reduce, recycle and reuse); for which two conditions were
designed: the first submerge the orange peels without extracting oil in a water bath to inactivate the enzymes of its surface, and the second
extract the essential oil from the peels by hydro-distillation to know the physicochemical properties, the obtained pectin yield, the reduction of
solid waste in both processes, and compare with commercial pectin with high added value in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetological industries
among others. Pectin extraction was carried out by acid hydrolysis using hydrochloric acid (HCl) to pH 3.2 with heating at 90 ° C for 90 min.
Pectin extracted from orange peels without extracting the essential oil had a 35.83% higher yield; degree of esterification 70.49%; galacturonic
acid 87.84%; equivalent weight 2201.83 mg / meq; 2.03% ash and 51.00% solid waste reduction. Pectin isolated from the orange peels to which
the essential oil was extracted yielded 28.77%; degree of esterification 76.57%; galacturonic acid 87.81%; equivalent weight 2366.03 mg / meq;
Ashes 1.96. % and reduction of solid waste 59.69%. The isolated pectin according to the second condition, despite being a laborious process
allows to obtain previously essential oil as a byproduct; the said heteropolisácarido is similar to the commercial pectin in terms of the content
of galacturonic acid (min. 74% USP, 65% EU, FAO) as well as referring to ashes (max. 3.3%), both very important in the degree of gelation.
This second condition also allows reducing, recycling and reusing (3R) orange peel residues.