Physical/Chemical Nature of Pectin Associated with Commercial Orange Juice Cloud

Abstract

ABSTRACT The cloud pectin content of two commercial orange juice concentrates was 4.7 and 4.3%. The cloud pectin was solubilized to varying degrees in 6% citric acid. pH 2.5; in 10M urea‐6% citric acid, pH 2.5; by hydrolysis of cloud protein with protease; and in sodium oxalate; pH 4.5. Much of the urea‐solubilized pectin reprecipitated upon dialysis. The binding of orange cloud to amino paramagnetic latex particles demonstrated a clear association of cloud pectin with cloud protein. Simulation of orange juice processing conditions indicated that some of the cloud pectin arises from the pulp during processing. About 60% of the cloud pectin is soluble pectin that has become associated with cloud protein, 25–30% is calcium pectate and 15% is protopectin.