INCREASING THE PURITY OF POLYURONIC SORBENTS

The method of elution ion-exchange chromatography was applied to increase the purity of polyuronic sorbents (apple, carrot and sunflower pectins). The columns is packed with the adsorbent to be purified. Organic solvents e.g., methanol, ethanol and acetone containing HCl are used for the elution at 20, 40 and 50°C. Elimination of mineral substances and nitrogen-containing compounds and an increase in the polyuronic acid content were observed. It was found that efficient purification of pectic substances is possible under the adopted conditions. Partial de-esterification was observed with increase in the pectin purity and the reaction speed was increased by increasing the temperature. Protein-peptide admixtures removed from these pectins, the greatest decrease in the content of nitrogenous substances being observed with carrot pectin. © 1990.