Chemistry of Pectin and Its Pharmaceutical Uses : A Review

Pectin, a naturally occurring polysaccharide, has in recent years gained increasingly in importance. The benefits of natural pectin are also more and more appreciated by scientists and consumer due to its biodegradability. Pectin is the methylated ester of polygalacturonic acid. It is commercially extracted from citrus peels and apple pomace under mildly acidic conditions. Pectins are divided into two major groups on the basis of their degree of esterification. The association of pectin chains leads to the formation of the threedimensional networks that is to gel formation. The pectin, by itself or by its gelling properties, was employed in pharmaceutical industry, health promotion and treatment. It has been used potentially as a carrier for drug delivery to the gastrointestinal tract, such as matrix tablets, gel beads, film-coated dose form. This review will discuss the important chemistry and general properties of pectin, and its gel formation mechanism and properties. The example of the pharmaceutical uses of pectin will be given. Chemistry of Pectin and Its Pharmaceutical Uses : A Review