Effect of H 2 O 2 -assisted ultrasonic bath on the degradation and physicochemical properties of pectin.

The effects of H2 O2 -assisted ultrasonic bath degradation technology on pectin were investigated. The degradation efficiency with different pectin concentrations, H2 O2 concentrations, ultrasonic power, and ultrasonic time was analyzed. The results showed that pectin concentration was negatively correlated with the degradation efficiency of pectin, while, H2 O2 concentration, ultrasonic power, and ultrasonic time were positive correlated with the degradation efficiency. Besides, the apparent viscosity and viscoelasticity of the degraded pectin decreased significantly. The antioxidant activity increased after the H2 O2 -assisted ultrasonic bath treatment. The results of FTIR, NMR, laser particle size, SEM, XRD, and AFM analysis indicated that the degradation treatment did not destroy the main structure of pectin. The average particle size and crystallinity of pectin decreased. The degree of aggregation and the height of the molecular chain decreased significantly. In conclusion, the H2 O2 -assisted ultrasonic bath degradation technique could effectively degrade pectin. This study provided a comprehensive analysis of the degradation of pectin under H2 O2 -assisted ultrasonic bath, which will be beneficial to further develop H2 O2 -assisted ultrasonic bath techniques for pectin degradation.