Effects of ultrasound on the enzymatic degradation of pectin

Ultrasound-assisted enzymatic maceration (UAEM) has gained considerable interest in the fruit juice industry, owing to its potential to increase juice yield and content of polyphenols while simultaneously saving time and energy. In this study, the effects of UAEM (ultrasonic probe, 20 kHz, 21 W*cm⁻² and 33 W*cm⁻²) on pectin degradation in a continuous circulation system were investigated over 60 and 90 min. Main pectinolytic enzymes activities of (polygalacturonase, pectin lyase and pectin methylesterase) of a commercial enzyme preparation were examined for individual synergistic effects with US. Pectin hydrolysis by UAEM differed significantly compared to treatment with ultrasound or enzymes alone regarding the profile of degradation products compared to treatment with ultrasound or enzymes alone. Ultrasound fragmented pectin to less branched oligomers of medium molecular weight (Mp approx. 150 kDa), which were further degraded by pectinolytic activities. The low molecular weight fraction (<30 kDa), which is known to be beneficial for juice-quality by adding nutritional value and stabilizing polyphenols, was enriched in small oligomers of homogalacturonan-derived, rhamnogalacturonan I-derived, and rhamnogalacturonan II-derived residues. Synergistic effects of ultrasound application enhanced the effective activities of polygalacturonase and pectin lyase and even prolonged their performance over 90 min, whereas the effective activity of pectin methylesterase was not affected. Final marker concentrations determined by each enzyme assay revealed a considerable higher total process output after UAEM treatment at reduced temperature (30 °C) comparable to the output after conventional batch maceration at 50 °C. The obtained results demonstrate the high potential of UAEM to produce high-quality juice by controlling pectin degradation while reducing process temperature and equally highlight the matrix and enzyme specific effects of a simultaneous US treatment.