2.6. Common Post-Treatment: Pectin Isolation and Drying

After the extraction phase, OPs were removed by filtration from the extracting solution. Pectin precipitation was achieved with the addition to the liquid of 98% ethanol, with an ethanol:solution ratio of 1:1, except for microwave-assisted extractions where the ethanol:solution ratio was set to 1.5:1. The solution is then left to ripen for at least 20 h.

Precipitated pectin was recovered by centrifugation (OHAUS Frontier 570, Nanikon, Switzerland) for 15 min at 4000 rpm (acceleration value of 9, deceleration value of 3 relative centrifugal force (RCF)). Isolated pectin pellets were washed twice with 98% ethanol (total 10 mL). The extracted pectin was air dried.