Effect of H2O2-assisted ultrasonic bath on the degradation and physicochemical properties of pectin

Abstract

The effects of H₂O₂-assisted ultrasonic bath degradation technology on pectin were investigated. The degradation efficiency with different pectin concentrations, H₂O₂ concentrations, ultrasonic power, and ultrasonic time was analyzed. The results showed that pectin concentration was negatively correlated with the degradation efficiency of pectin, while, H₂O₂ concentration, ultrasonic power, and ultrasonic time were positive correlated with the degradation efficiency. Besides, the apparent viscosity and viscoelasticity of the degraded pectin decreased significantly. The antioxidant activity increased after the H₂O₂-assisted ultrasonic bath treatment. The results of FTIR, NMR, laser particle size, SEM, XRD, and AFM analysis indicated that the degradation treatment did not destroy the main structure of pectin. The average particle size and crystallinity of pectin decreased. The degree of aggregation and the height of the molecular chain decreased significantly. In conclusion, the H₂O₂-assisted ultrasonic bath degradation technique could effectively degrade pectin. This study provided a comprehensive analysis of the degradation of pectin under H₂O₂-assisted ultrasonic bath, which will be beneficial to further develop H₂O₂-assisted ultrasonic bath techniques for pectin degradation.

Keywords: Degradation; H(2)O(2); Pectin; Physicochemical properties; Ultrasound bath.