A hydrodynamic study of the depolymerisation of a high methoxy pectin at elevated temperatures

G. A. Morris, T. J. Foster, S. E. Harding

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

44 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The hydrodynamic properties (intrinsic viscosity, [η]; infinite dilution sedimentation coefficient, s20,w0; weight average molecular weight, Mw and translational frictional ratio, f/f0) of a high methoxy pectin have been evaluated at various temperatures (20-60°C). A reduction in the value of all four hydrodynamic parameters is indicative of depolymerisation and is in agreement with an earlier study using viscometry [Axelos, M.A.V., & Branger, M., (1993). Food Hydrocolloids, 7, 91-102]. The apparent linearity of the Mark - Houwink plot of log[η] vs log Mw suggests that the conformation of the pectin molecule does not change significantly over the temperature range studied. The evaluation of the Mark-Houwink viscosity exponent (a = 0.84) indicates a moderately extended structure. This then allows the calculation of the number of Kuhn statistical lengths per chain from the adapted 'blob' theory of Dondos [Dondos A. (2001). Polymer, 42, 897-901]. The weight average number of Kuhn statistical lengths per chain is reduced from (170 ± 10) to (125 ± 10) when the temperature is increased from 20-60°C. This may be of significance as many high methoxy pectins are exposed to high temperatures during processing in both the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)361-367
Number of pages7
JournalCarbohydrate Polymers
Volume48
Issue number4
Early online date18 Feb 2002
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2002
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A hydrodynamic study of the depolymerisation of a high methoxy pectin at elevated temperatures'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this