Cellulase and Protease Preparations Can Extract Pectins from Various Plant Byproducts

Abstract

The use of protease and cellulase preparations to extract pectins from plant byproducts (chicory, cauliflower) was investigated. Different enzymatic preparations were characterized by their activities toward proteins, cellulose, and pectins. These preparations were then tested regarding pectin extraction, and extraction conditions (nature and concentration of enzyme, incubation time) were optimized. Enzymatic and acidic extractions were compared and also combined in sequential extractions. This study shows that it is possible to extract pectins by using cellulases and proteases. Enzymes can extract pectins with a higher yield (∼35%) than acid (∼28%) but enzyme-extracted pectins have a smaller molar mass (300 000 g/mol) than acid-extracted pectins (500 000 g/ mol). Different hypotheses are tested and discussed to explain this mass difference. Keywords: Pectins; extraction; enzymes; cellulase; protease; byproducts; cell wall; Cichorium intybus; chicory; Brassica oleracea; cauliflower