Pectins were extracted from banana peels of five different varieties using citric acid solution. The chemical characteristics of banana peel pectins were investigated and compared with citrus peel and apple pomace pectins which were extracted under the same extraction conditions to assess the potential of banana peels as an alternative source of commercial pectin. The yield of banana peel pectins ranged from 15.89 to 24.08%. The extracted banana peel pectins were categorized as high methoxyl pectin with the degree of esterification between 63.15 and 72.03% comparable to those of conventional pectin sources from citrus peel (62.83%) and apple pomace (58.44%). The anhydrouronic acid (AUA) content of banana peel pectins varied from 34.56 to 66.67%. Among various banana varieties being studied, pectin from Kluai Nam Wa variety had the highest AUA content (66.67%) which met the criteria for food additive pectin indicating its commercial significance as an alternative pectin source.
Keywords: Banana peels; Citric acid extraction; FT-IR; Pectin.