Pectins

What are pectins?

Pectins are structural carbohydrates that are found in all higher plants and predominantly perform a supporting function. They are bound to cellulose and hemicellulose within a cell wall matrix by neutral sugars. They are generally referred to as protopectins in this form and are not water soluble.

It is possible to extract protopectins from the cell wall and obtain functional pectin for use in animal nutrition. To do this, the neutral sugar bond is broken in a complex extraction process. The pectin is then released from the cell wall matrix and bioavailable.

Studies
Area of applications
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What effect does pectin have on animals?

Extracted pectins have a high level of bioavailability and can therefore help treat problems with animals’ digestive tract — they provide immediate help with diarrhoea*. Stool consistency returns to normal after just a few feeds. This is thanks to the extracted pectin’s three-fold effect.

*see technical paper: “Einfluss extrahierten Pektins auf das Durchfallauftreten in der Kälberaufzucht” (Influence of extracted pectins on diarrhoea in calf rearing)

Where are pectins found?

Apples and citrus fruits contain a particularly high level of protopectins in their cell walls:

  • 10 – 15% in apple pomace
  • 20 – 35% in citrus peel

What are pectins made up of?

Pectins consist mainly of a variety of galacturonic acid molecules that are bound to each other by a α -1.4 glycosidic bond.

Pektin_Carboxylgruppen

Some of the pectin carboxyl groups (-COOH) are esterified using methanol (methylated). Pectins are classed as high methyl ester pectins if they have a degree of esterification of over 50%.

agroPECT A 100/70

Pectin with maximum efficacy

agroPECT Instant

Pectin with improved solubility

agroPECT Fibre+

Pectin with added fibre

agroPECT Liquid

Pectin for liquid applications

Details

Polygalacturonic acid:
76 %

Ease of blending with liquids (pure):
Difficult

Packaging:
Box (25 kg net)

Dry matter:
88 %

Raw fibre content:
0 %

Minimum shelf life:
18 months from production

Details

Polygalacturonic acid:
44,5 %

Ease of blending with liquids (pure):
Easy

Packaging:
Box (20 kg net)

Dry matter:
88 %

Raw fibre content:
0 %

Minimum shelf life:
18 months from production

Details

Polygalacturonic acid:
40,5 %

Ease of blending with liquids (pure):
Difficult

Packaging:
Bag (25 kg net), big bag

Dry matter:
88 %

Raw fibre content:
39 %

Minimum shelf life:
18 months from production

Details

Polygalacturonic acid:
3,5 %

Ease of blending with liquids (pure):
Very easy

Packaging:
IBC

Dry matter:
7 %

Raw fibre content:
0 %

Minimum shelf life:
12 months from production