Nutraceutical potential of low methylated pectin derived from pectin rich agrowaste

Abstract

Increase in global population has led to significant rise in new diseases and bringing new challenges. The current treatment methods being employed are rather non-specific and have several side effects. There is a great need to find alternate, safe, prevention and treatment strategies to combat against various diseases. With global challenges such as food insecurity, increasing chronic diseases, and the pursuit of sustainable economic practices, the need for dietary fibres or nutraceuticals derived from plant waste is gaining importance. Recent studies performed on low methylated pectin (LMP) derived from pectin rich agro waste has displayed good functional properties in prevention and treatment of diseases. LMPs are generally recognized as safe, nontoxic and biocompatible. It was reported that LMPs bind to galactin-3 receptor to prevent cancer metastasis, exhibit anti-diabetic property by inhibiting α-glucosidase activity, promote anti-inflammatory activity by regulating TLR-2, IL-1β, and IL-6. LMPs exhibit antimicrobial activity by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria, which neutralize toxins by producing short chain fatty acids. LMPs promote antioxidant activity by reducing the free radicles and reactive oxygen species. The functional properties of LMPs greatly depends on degree of methylation, source, structure, and sugar composition. Recently, LMPs are used in food industry as emulsifying, gelling, flocculation and foaming agent. This paper highlights the recent technological advancements in production, and functional properties of LMPs derived from pectin rich agro waste. In future, LMP based nutraceutical products can be developed by pharma and food industry.