Exploring Pectin: From Extraction Challenges to Pharmaceutical Applications
Résumé
This review examines recent advances and uses of pectin, a versatile polysaccharide, with a focus on its extraction from agricultural by-products and its emerging applications in the pharmaceutical industry. Pectin, mainly sourced from citrus peels and apple pomace, is a complex heteropolysaccharide with significant structural diversity, which influences its functional properties. The review discusses various extraction methods, including conventional acidic extraction and environmentally responsible techniques such as microwave-assisted, ultrasound-assisted, subcritical water, and supercritical CO₂ extraction. These methods are evaluated for their efficiency and environmental impact. In addition, the review highlights the functional properties of pectin, such as its roles as a stabilizer, thickener, and gelling agent, which are important in pharmaceutical applications. The pharmaceutical uses of pectin receive particular attention, with emphasis on its role in drug delivery systems, including floating systems and encapsulation technologies. The review also addresses the challenges and future prospects of pectin use, underscoring its potential to replace other hydrocolloids given its cost-effectiveness and functional benefits.