Biochemical
and Biotechnology -
High Grade Pectin from Lime Peels
Introduction
A premier technology
providing institution for indeginously developed technologies
is offering technology for producing high grade pectin
from lime peels. Pectin substances are high molecular
weight polysaccharides which enhance the physiologic
fractions of the digestive tract through their colloidal,
chemical and antibacterial properties. Citrus fruits
are rich in pectin and therefore, it is extracted from
citrus fruit peel.
Process:
Citrus waste obtained during crushing of limes is minced
into small pieces, washed in water, and pressed to remove
the undesired soluble matter. The minced peels are subjected
to extraction with steam. The cooked magma is filtered
and cooled. The filtrate is treated with aluminium sulphate
for precipitation of aluminium pectinate. Aluminium
pectinate is filtered, stirred and passed through cation
exchange resins to separate the concentrated pectin
mass. The pectin mass is washed and pressed and the
cake thus obtained is broken into small pieces and passed
through granulator. These granules are subsequently
dried and powdered. The spent resin is regenerated and
the dilute alcohol obtained in washing of pectin is
recovered by distillation.
Areas of Application
Food formulations industry in making
jams, jellies and in pharma industry for treatment of
diarrhoea.
Advantages
In this process lesser quantity of
alcohol is required for separation of pectin. The process
yields high grade pectin (> 200 grade). The recovery
of alcohol is approx. 90%. It thus helps in saving energy.
The process developed is simple, cheap and gives rise
to import substitute product, pectin of 200 grade.
The process aims at profitable utilisation of lime peel,
a food industry waste.
Also the process is eco-friendly as it does not generate
any effluent.
Stage of Development
Commercialised
Inputs Required
Power: 1800 KWH -
Water: 8 KL - per tonne of product
Steam: 9 T -
Land: 5000 m2, Covered area: 3000
m2
Manpower: 15 including 1 Managerial,
4 Skilled and 10 Unskilled
Raw material: Citrus peels(Wet)
- 70,000 -(Dry) - 70,000 -
Sulfuric acid: 3.5 litres - per
tonne of product
Alcohol: 82500 litres -
Contact for
more information
The Director
Technology Bureau for Small Enterprises
APCTT Building, Qutub Institutional Area
P.O. Box – 4575
New Delhi – 110016
