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Article: Source pectin from sugar beet pulp.
- Article from:
- Emerging Food R&D Report
- Article date:
- March 1, 2007
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2007 Food Technology Intelligence, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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To boost profits for sugar beet growers and processors, USDA-ARS scientists are developing new processes to efficiently isolate beet pectin and associated polysaccharides.
Pectin, which can be found in the cell walls of fruits and vegetables, is often used as a gelling agent and fat substitute. Most commercial pectin is extracted from citrus peels, but sugar beet pulp is an untapped source with great profit potential. Every year, U.S. processors generate about 1.5 million tons of dry beet pulp, most of which is sold for little profit as animal feed.
Sugar beet pectin has different chemical features than citrus pectin, so it could find new uses. Beet pulp ...