Investigation of time effect on pectin production from citrus wastes with ohmic heating assisted extraction process

Pectin is usually extracted by exposure to a high temperature and a specific pH value by conventional methods. However, due to reasons such as low energy efficiency of the process and damage to the pectin, alternative thermal and non-thermal methods are used in the pectin extraction process. In this study, the effect of different processing times (0, 5, 15, 30, 60, 120, 180 min) on pectin extraction was investigated for grapefruit, lemon, and orange samples at 80°C. Besides, it was determined that the electrical conductivity value ranged between 1.46–2.06 S/m during heating, the electrical conductivity value of the pH solution adjusted with sulfuric acid. Accordingly, it was figured out that the total amount of energy consumed increases as the process holding time increases. However, it was determined that there was a decrease in the average power value by turning on–off the system. Practical Application: Pectin is one of the additives used in many areas in the food industry. Pectin is now produced especially from agricultural waste peel. During this production, it is subjected to long processes at certain pH and certain temperatures. With the present study, determination of pectin yield over a wide period of time by using ohmic heating process and total ohmic heating energy was determined. In this way, it is thought that a serious contribution will be made to the literature and industry regarding different industrial agricultural waste peel (orange, grapefruit, lemon) during pectin production.