Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “PECTINS”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

Microbiology of wetwood: importance of pectin degradation and clostridium species in living trees.

Wetwood samples from standing trees of eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), black poplar (Populus nigra), and American elm (Ulmus americana) contained high numbers of aerobic and anaerobic pectin-degrading bacteria (10 to 10 cells per g of wood). High activity of polygalacturonate lyase (</=0.5 U/ml) was also detected in the fetid liquid that spurted from wetwood zones in the lower trunk when the trees were bored. A prevalent pectin-degrading obligately anaerobic bacterium isolated from these wetwoods was identified as Clostridium butyricum. Pectin decomposition by C. butyricum strain 4P1 was associated with an inducible polygalacturonate lyase and pectin methylesterase, the same types of pectinolytic activity expressed in the wetwood of these trees. The pH optimum of the extracellular polygalacturonate lyase was alkaline (near pH 8.5). In vitro tests with sapwood samples from a conifer (Douglas fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii) showed that tori in membranes of bordered pits are degraded by pure cultures of strain 4P1, polygalacturonate lyase enzyme preparations of strain 4P1, and mixed methanogenic cultures from the tree samples of wetwood. These results provide evidence that pectin in xylem tissue is actively degraded by C. butyricum strain 4P1 via polygalacturonate lyase activity. The importance of pectin degradation by bacteria, including Clostridium species, appears paramount in the formation and maintenance of the wetwood syndrome in certain living trees.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

Comparative morphology of the pectinate ligaments of domestic mammals, as observed under the dissecting microscope and the scanning electron microscope.

The pectinate ligaments of ten horses, two donkeys, five oxen, five sheep, ten goats, five dogs, five cats, thirty pigs and two rabbits were studied under the stereomicroscope and the scanning electron microscope. In the horse and the donkey, the pectinate ligament was very prominent and was characterized by sturdy interconnected strands and relatively small intertrabecular spaces. The pectinate ligaments of ruminants were composed of shorter strands, separated by relatively larger spaces. Fusion between adjacent strands, resulting in the formation of fenestrated sheets, was regularly observed in these species, in particular in the superior and inferior ocular segments. In the dog and the cat, the pectinate ligament consisted of slender strands that were separated by large intertrabecular spaces. The strands of the pectinate ligaments of the pig and the rabbit were shorter and their diameters were intermediate between those of the herbivores and the carnivores. The clinical relevance of the normal variability in the structure of the pectinate ligament and proposals for a uniform anatomical nomenclature are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Degree of blockiness of amide groups as indicator for difference in physical behavior of amidated pectins.

Thickening and gelling properties of commercial amidated pectins depend on the degree of amidation and methyl-esterification, but also the distribution of these groups is of great importance. Methods have been developed during the last few years to determine the distribution of methyl esters over the pectic backbone. We applied the strategies developed for the analysis of high methyl-esterified pectins for studying the distribution of amide groups in amidated pectins. Low methyl-esterified amidated (LMA) pectins were digested before and after removal of methyl esters by an endo-polygalacturonase to determine the degree of blockiness of the substituents. The nature of the substituents (amide groups compared to methyl esters) did not modify the behavior of the enzyme. Oligomers released were separated by using high-performance anion exchange chromatography and pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD) at pH 5. Fractions collected after on-line desalting were identified by using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Oligomers were found to elute from the column as a function of their total charge. For the same overall charge and size, oligomers with methyl esters eluted before oligomers with amide groups. Both amide groups and methyl esters of the LMA pectins studied were found to be semirandomly distributed over the pectic backbone, but this may vary according to the amidation process used.

Amides↗
PubMed1985

Isolation of lactic whey proteins in the form of complexes with apple pectin.

The possibility of isolating lactic whey proteins (LWP) in the form of insoluble complexes (IC) with apple pectin was studied. The effect of pH, ionic strength (mu, NaCl), temperature (T degree C), pectin weight fraction (X3%) and the total concentration of macromolecular components in the system (Ws) on isolation has been considered. The process has been characterized by LWP yield in the composition IC--P, percentage and the extent of protein concentration in the concentrated phase (IC)--F. The mixing of lactic whey with a pectin solution usually yielded an IC (10% less than or equal to X3 less than or equal to 90%). The dependence of P on X3 is of an extreme nature with a maximum of 85% at X3 = 60%. The following conditions correspond to the maximum LWP yield (90%) in the complex composition: pH 3.4, mu = 0.01, T = 5-20 degrees C, X3 = 60%, Ws = 0.5%. At compositions of the system corresponding to the maximum P value (X3 = 60%) practically all the LWP fractions are present in the concentrated phase. If X3 much greater than 60% or X3 much less than 60% alpha-lactalbumin is practically absent in the concentrated phase. Usually, minimum F values (2.5-4.0) correspond to maximum protein yield at X3 = 60%. At X3 greater than 70% and X3 less than 50% F values may be considerably higher (20 times and more). A decrease in the pectin methylation degree from 56.7% down to 15.4% does not affect F. The maximum protein yield (94%) occurs when low methylated pectin is used. The character of the dependence of F on X3 is explained according to similar processes of complex gel formation and the processes of gel formation in polymer solutions.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Pectin improves colonic function in rat short bowel syndrome.

Short bowel syndrome is characterized by weight loss, diarrhea, and malabsorption. Pectin, a highly fermentable fiber, improves small and large bowel mucosal structure, prolongs intestinal transit, and decreases diarrhea. This study determined if the addition of citrus pectin to an enteral liquid diet (LD) improved structure and absorptive function in the rat jejunum and colon following massive intestinal resection. Twenty-one male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent placement of gastrostomy tube for isocaloric, isonitrogenous feeding and either 60% small bowel and cecal resection or small bowel transection with anastomosis. Animals in each group were then randomly and equally assigned to receive either LD (Enercal Plus, Wyeth) or LD supplemented with 2% citrus pectin for 7 days. Study variables included body weight change, percentage of stool solidity, jejunal villous height (JVH) and crypt depth, colonic crypt depth (CCD), and colonic short-chain fatty acid content (SCFA). Jejunal [14C]glucose absorption and colonic [3H]H2O absorption were measured by a dual in vivo perfusion assay. Resection significantly (P < 0.05) decreased body weight, stool solidity, and colonic SCFA content; enlarged structure (JVH, CCD); and increased absorptive function in the remaining bowel. Pectin significantly decreased (P < 0.05) body weight loss, increased (P < 0.05) stool solidity, and improved (P = 0.05) colonic water absorption following resection without significantly altering mucosal structure. It is concluded that pectin improves colonic absorptive function following massive bowel resection in the rat.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[Dietary fiber and pectin fractions of Beta vulgaris var. conditiva].

The alcohol-insoluble substance (AIS) from red beet (Beta vulgaris var. conditiva Alef.) (3.31% of the edible substance) was extracted sequentially with water, ammonium oxalate, 0.05 N HCl and 0.05 N NaOH. Accordingly 3.93 g, about 0.8 g, 2.96 g resp. 3.80 g galacturonan/100 g AIS were extracted with this procedure. These pectin extracts were purified as Cu2 +-salts and fractionated into a water-soluble and a water-insoluble part. The composition of neutral monosaccharide units was estimated in the fractions. Gal, Ara and Glc dominated; Xyl, Rha and Man were also present but in smaller amounts. A higher GalA content was found in the soluble fractions (with the exception of the alkali extract). Pectins from red beet are middle- or low-esterified and partially acetylated. The composition of the AIS and of the residue after pectin extraction (RE) was determined (14.6 resp. 9.5% pectin; 10,6 resp. 17.6% protein; 58.7 resp. 64.9% total polysaccharides). In the AIS 23.3% soluble and 54.7% insoluble dietary fiber were estimated, whereas in RE 15.3 resp. 54.7% were found (enzymatic method). Following dietary fiber fractions were determined by the detergent method for both preparations: 39.0 resp. 52.7% NDF; 6.3 resp. 4.5% NDF filtrate; 23.6 resp. 41.8% ADF; 1.2 resp. 1.8% lignin. The water binding capacity decreased from 19.85 g water (AIS) to 11. 53 g water (RE) related to 1 g AUS. From these just 50% were found in the NDF fractions and about 13% in the ADF fractions. Alterations of the grown biological structures during pectin extraction and dietary fiber analysis (detergent method) were investigated by scanning electron microscopy.

Chromatography, Gas↗
PubMed1996

The short-term effect of dietary pectin on plasma levels and renal excretion of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate.

Studies specifically investigating the effects of single dietary components on plasma levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate ester (DHEAS) are rare. Especially no data is available with regard to specific dietary fibers. Therefore, the impact of pectin (a representative fiber that affects the enterohepatic recirculation of bile acids) was studied in a randomized crossover trial consisting of three diet periods characterized by the same food supply and daily doses of 0 g, 15 g or 30 g pectin. Blood and 24-h-urine samples were collected at the end of each 4-day diet period from 6 healthy male volunteers. Plasma levels of DHEA, cortisol and the major binding protein of DHEAS albumin remained unchanged with the varying pectin supplements. Also, no changes were observed for several urinary analytes including urinary DHEAS. However, effects of pectin intake (30, 15 versus 0 g/d) were seen for plasma DHEAS (9.3 +/- 2.8, 9.2 +/- 2.6, 8.0 +/- 3.1 mumol/L, p < 0.01) and total plasma cholesterol (4.4 +/- 0.7, 4.5 +/- 0.7, 4.7 +/- 0.8 mmol/L, p = 0.1). Obviously, the altered intake of fiber in the form of pectin affects plasma concentrations of DHEAS and cholesterol in an opposite direction. The reason for this is not known but a dietetically induced modulation of the binding properties of plasma albumin for DHEAS appears possible. Our findings suggest that the target tissue-available, not protein-bound fraction of circulating DHEAS (as reflected by the renal DHEAS output) is not necessarily altered when total plasma concentrations of DHEAS vary.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Pectinolytic systems of two aerobic sporogenous bacterial strains with high activity on pectin.

Strains Paenibacillus sp. BP-23 and Bacillus sp. BP-7, previously isolated from soil from a rice field, secreted high levels of pectinase activity in media supplemented with pectin. Production of pectinases in strain Paenibacillus sp. BP-23 showed catabolite repression, while in Bacillus sp. BP-7 production of pectin degrading enzymes was not negatively affected by glucose. The two strains showed lyase activities as the predominant pectinases, while hydrolase activity was very low. Analysis of Paenibacillus sp. BP-23 in SDS-polyacrylamide gels and zymograms showed five pectinase activity bands. The strict requirement of Ca(2+) for lyase activity of the strain indicates that correspond to pectate lyases. For Bacillus sp. BP-7, zymograms showed four bands of different size. The strain showed a Ca(2+) requirement for lyase activity on pectate but not on pectin, indicating that the pectinolytic system of Bacillus sp. BP-7 is comprised of pectate lyases and pectin lyases. The results show differences in pectin degrading systems between the two aerobic sporogenous bacterial strains studied.

Bacillus↗
PubMed2004

Pectin and the role of the physical properties of the cell wall in pollen tube growth of Solanum chacoense.

The cell wall is one of the structural key players regulating pollen tube growth, since plant cell expansion depends on an interplay between intracellular driving forces and the controlled yielding of the cell wall. Pectin is the main cell wall component at the growing pollen tube apex. We therefore assessed its role in pollen tube growth and cytomechanics using the enzymes pectinase and pectin methyl esterase (PME). Pectinase activity was able to stimulate pollen germination and tube growth at moderate concentrations whereas higher concentrations caused apical swelling or bursting in Solanum chacoense Bitt. pollen tubes. This is consistent with a modification of the physical properties of the cell wall affecting its extensibility and thus the growth rate, as well as its capacity to withstand turgor. To prove that the enzyme-induced effects were due to the altered cell wall mechanics, we subjected pollen tubes to micro-indentation experiments. We observed that cellular stiffness was reduced and visco-elasticity increased in the presence of pectinase. These are the first mechanical data that confirm the influence of the amount of pectins in the pollen tube cell wall on the physical parameters characterizing overall cellular architecture. Cytomechanical data were also obtained to analyze the role of the degree of pectin methyl-esterification, which is known to exhibit a gradient along the pollen tube axis. This feature has frequently been suggested to result in a gradient of the physical properties characterizing the cell wall and our data provide, for the first time, mechanical support for this concept. The gradient in cell wall composition from apical esterified to distal de-esterified pectins seems to be correlated with an increase in the degree of cell wall rigidity and a decrease of visco-elasticity. Our mechanical approach provides new insights concerning the mechanics of pollen tube growth and the architecture of living plant cells.

Cell Wall↗
PubMed2005

Biosynthesis and cell-wall deposition of a pectin-xyloglucan complex in pea.

Golgi-enriched enzyme preparations prepared from etiolated pea epicotyls incorporated [U-(14)C]galactose from UDP-[U-(14)C]galactose into the 1,4-beta-galactan sidechains of a pectin-xyloglucan complex. This complex could bind to paper and was degraded both by pectin-degrading enzymes and by a xyloglucan-specific endoglucanase. Gel permeation chromatography was used to assess the molecular size of the complex and of enzymically-degraded, galactan-containing fragments of it. Etiolated pea stems were labelled with [U-(14)C]sucrose for 1 h, and the newly-synthesised cell wall polysaccharides were extracted with EDTA or NaOH and fractionated by ion-exchange chromatography. The NaOH-extracted, acidic radioactive polysaccharides obtained in this way were also degraded both by pectin-degrading enzymes and by xyloglucan-specific endoglucanase. Analysis of the radioactive sugar composition indicated that neutral sugars characteristic of both pectin and xyloglucan were present. Analysis of the total non-radioactive, neutral sugar composition of the NaOH-extracted, acidic cell-wall polysaccharides indicated that pectin-xyloglucan complexes were a general feature of the cell wall in this tissue.

Cell Wall↗
PubMed2005

Immunocytochemistry of pectins in shoot apical meristems: consequences for intercellular adhesion.

The nature of pectins (acidic, methyl-, or acetyl-esterified) in the shoot meristem of Sinapis alba was assessed by immunocytochemistry with the 2F4 monoclonal antibody in light and electron microscopy. This antibody is specific for "egg-boxes"--the polygalacturonic acid conformation induced by calcium as described in Liners et al. (Plant Physiol. 99: 1099-1104, 1992). Hardly any acidic pectin was detected in meristem walls; the pectins were largely methyl-esterified and esterified by acetyl groups and/or other esters. After in situ chemical or enzymatic de-esterification, labeling was distributed over the primary wall and the middle lamella of meristematic cells. Acidic pectin and Ca2+-cross-linked homogalacturonans were absent from the pit fields, where plasmodesmata traverse the middle lamella. The type and distribution of pectins are discussed in relation to cellular adhesion between active meristem cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Methods for obtaining neutral and acid oligosaccharides from flax pectins.

Esterified acid soluble pectins from flax (Linun usitatissimum L.) were degraded either with HCl or pectin lyase. Centrifugation and 2-propanol precipitation led to the isolation of two low molecular weight polygalacturonates after acid hydrolysis of pectins. However, after pectin lyase digestion and purification by size-exclusion HPLC, (1)H NMR analyses indicated that acetylated hairy regions, large methylated and acetylated oligogalacturonides together with small unsubstituted oligogalacturonides were produced. Thus, in a few steps, a panel of substituted neutral and acidic oligosaccharides was produced from a raw plant material. Such oligosaccharides could be useful for further fractionations such as chemical saponification and enzymatic removal of neutral sugar chains from the hairy regions. The procedures used for pectin extraction, for degradation, and for the purification of fragments seem appropriate for large-scale production of biologically active oligosaccharides from flax.

Acetylation↗
PubMed1998

Psyllium, not pectin or guar gum, alters lipoprotein and biliary bile acid composition and fecal sterol excretion in the hamster.

Different soluble dietary fibers known to alter cholesterol metabolism were fed to golden Syrian hamsters, and their specific impact on lipoproteins, biliary bile acid profile, and fecal sterol excretion was evaluated. Semipurified diets containing 20% fat; 0.12% cholesterol; and 8% of psyllium (PSY); high (hePE) and low (lePE) esterified pectin; or high (hvGG) and low (lvGG) viscous guar gum were fed for 5 wk. Compared to control, PSY caused a significant reduction in plasma cholesterol (2.9 +/- 0.5 vs. 5.5 +/- 0.5 mmol/L), whereas hePE, lePE, hvGG, or lvGG had no apparent effect on plasma lipids. Hepatic total and esterified cholesterol were substantially decreased with PSY, pectin and guar gum, whereby PSY produced the most pronounced effect. Distinctive changes existed in the bile acid profile related to the different fibers. In contrast to pectin and guar gum, PSY caused a significant increase in the cholate:chenodeoxycholate and the glycine:taurine conjugation ratio. Pectin and guar gum did not alter daily fecal neutral sterol excretion while PSY caused a 90% increase due to a higher fecal output. Daily fecal bile acid excretion and total fecal bile acid concentration were significantly increased by PSY, whereas hePE, lePE, hvGG, and lvGG revealed no or only minor effects. Taken together, the disparate hypocholesterolemic effects of PSY, pectin, and guar gum on cholesterol and bile acid metabolism in the hamster are possibly related to different physicochemical properties, e.g., viscosity and susceptibility to fermentation, affecting the fiber-mediated action in the intestine.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Evaluation of critical formulation parameters influencing the bioactivity of beta-lactamases entrapped in pectin beads.

The bioactivity of beta-lactamases upon entrapment in calcium-pectinate beads was evaluated. Non-amidated (NAP) and amidated pectin (AP) beads were prepared according to the ionotropic gelation method using calcium chloride (CaCl(2)) as gelling agent, washed and dried at 37 degrees C in an oven for 2h. Both enzyme activity and protein content were determined as well as bead calcium content. NAP allowed a better encapsulation of the protein than AP. Increasing both CaCl(2) concentration and bead residence time in the gelation medium led to a significant loss of beta-lactamase activity. The drying process of beads also lowered the enzyme activity. Moreover, bead calcium content increased as the CaCl(2) concentration augmented. Being very hygroscopic, the excess of CaCl(2) correlates with an increase of moisture content in beads that affects enzyme activity. After elimination of free calcium from beads, it was shown that a small amount is needed to form the Ca-pectinate network and that the activity of beta-lactamases is preserved in these conditions. Therefore, the bioactivity of encapsulated beta-lactamases in pectin beads mainly depends on formulation parameters such as pectin type, CaCl(2) concentration, washing and drying processes.

Calcium↗
PubMed2004

Inhibition of cell-wall autolysis and pectin degradation by cations.

Modification of cell wall components such as cellulose, hemicellulose and pectin plays an important role in cell expansion. Cell expansion is known to be diminished by cations but it is unknown if this results from cations reacting with pectin or other cell wall components. Autolysis of cell wall material purified from bean root (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) occurred optimally at pH 5.0 and released mainly neutral sugars but very little uronic acid. Autolytic release of neutral sugars and uronic acid was decreased when cell wall material was loaded with Ca, Cu, Sr, Zn, Al or La cations. Results were also extended to a metal-pectate model system, which behaved similarly to cell walls and these cations also inhibited the enzymatic degradation by added polygalacturonase (EC 3.2.1.15). The extent of sugar release from cation-loaded cell wall material and pectate gels was related to the degree of cation saturation of the substrate, but not to the type of cation. The binding strength of the cations was assessed by their influence on the buffer capacity of the cell wall and pectate. The strongly bound cations (Cu, Al or La) resulted in higher cation saturation of the substrate and decreased enzymatic degradability than the weakly held cations (Ca, Sr and Zn). The results indicate that the junction zones between pectin molecules can peel open with weakly held cations, allowing polygalacturonase to cleave the hairy region of pectin, while strongly bound cations or high concentrations of cations force the junction zone closed, minimising enzymatic attack on the pectin backbone.

Cations↗
PubMed2000

Quantification of the amount of galacturonic acid residues in blocksequences in pectin homogalacturonan by enzymatic fingerprinting with exo- and endo-polygalacturonase II from Aspergillus niger.

A method to determine the amount of galacturonic acid in blocksequence (BS) in pectin homogalacturonan (HG) is described. The method is based on a combination of endopolygalacturonase II (endo-PG II) and exopolygalacturonase (exo-PG) digestion followed by quantification of the liberated galacturonic acid monomer. The amount of monomers released is directly related to the amount of non-esterified galacturonic acid units located between two other non-esterified galacturonic acids units on the HG chain. The amount released for exo-PG digestion only corresponds to the BS located at the non-reducing end of the polymer. The difference between total- and exo-BS was calculated to be the amount of endo-BS located either within or on the reducing end of the HG. Three series of model pectins obtained by de-esterification of a high-ester pectin with either plant pectin methyl-esterase (p-PME, P-series), fungal pectin methyl-esterase (f-PME, F-series) and chemical de-esterification using base (B-series) were analysed and compared with a fully de-esterified pectic acid sample obtained from the same raw material. Clear differences for the increase of the amounts of blocksequence could be seen between de-esterification of the P- and F-series samples supporting a blockwise and a homogenous de-esterification mechanism, respectively. f-PME and base treatment showed only minor differences in the increase of galacturonic acid units in BS, despite differences seen in their methyl-esterification pattern. Differences between the amounts of galacturonic acid located in exo- and endo-BS, provided evidence for the need of a certain start side or blocklength for p-PME to de-esterify blockwise.

Aspergillus niger↗
PubMed2001

L-Altruronic acid formed by epimerization of D-galacturonic acid methyl esters during saponification of citrus pectin.

While searching for oligosaccharides containing rhamnose residues in the endopolygalacturonase (EPG) digest of saponified citrus pectin, we found several oligomers containing, in addition to galacturonic acid, a sugar previously unreported in pectin. The 1- and 2-D 1H NMR spectra of the oligosaccharides were consistent with the sugar being a uronic acid with its 2- and 3-hydroxyls being axial and 4-hydroxyl being equatorial. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry indicated that the oligomers consisted solely of uronic acids. Reduction of the uronic acids in the oligosaccharides converted them to galactose and altrose. The altrose was found to be the L enantiomer by comparison of its trimethylsilyl (-)-2-butyl glycosides to those of authentic D-altrose and a racemic mixture. The sugar was not found in oligosaccharides prepared from EPG digestion of citrus pectin deesterified with pectin methylesterase rather than saponification. Thus, it appears that during saponification, a small proportion of the methylesterified galacturonic acid residues in pectins is epimerized at C-5 leading to formation of L-altruronic acid residues.

Carbohydrate Conformation↗
PubMed2000

Characterization of pectin, flash-extracted from orange albedo by microwave heating, under pressure.

Pectin was acid extracted from orange albedo by microwave heating under pressure. Extraction times ranged from 2.5 to 8 min. Solubilized pectin was characterized for molar mass (M), rms radius of gyration (Rg) and intrinsic viscosity [eta] by HPSEC with online light scattering and viscosity detection. M, Rg and [eta] all decreased with increasing extraction time. Nevertheless, at heating times of 2.5 and 3.0 min, M, Rg and [eta] were significantly higher than a commercial citrus pectin when the albedo:solvent ratio was 1:25 (w/v). At the heating time of 2.5 min Mw was 3.6 x 10(5), Rgz was 38 nm and [eta]w was 10.8 dL/g. Chromatography revealed that solubilized pectin distributions were bimodal in nature and that the low-molar-mass fraction increased at the expense of the high-molar-mass fraction with increasing extraction time. Scaling law exponents revealed that the high-molar-mass fraction was extremely compact in shape, whereas the low-molar-mass fraction was more asymmetric in shape. Possibly these results indicated that at short extraction times, pectin was solubilized as compact aggregated network structures that were broken down to their more asymmetric components with increased heating times.

Chromatography↗