A fundamental understanding of polymers has evolved in recent years concurrent with advances in analytical instrumentation. The theories and methodologies developed for the galacturonan biopolymers (collectively called pectins) have seldom been discoursed comprehensively in the context of the new knowledge. This text explains the scientific and technical basis of many of the practices followed in processing and preparing foods fabricated with or containing pectin. The material is presented in a very readable fashion for those with limited technical training. - Structural analysis - Commercial extractions methods - Pectin formulations and tropical fruit analysis - Molecular mechanisms of gelatin - Enzymology - Polymer comformation techniques - Analytical methods of polymer analysis

Explores the physical, biochemical, and functional properties of pectin. Examines the role of pectin as an important food fiber, a major plant cell wall component, and a ubiquitous nutritional factor and gelling agent in foods. Assembles chapters from leading pectin researchers to produce a multidisciplinary volume that will advance pectin research through cross fertilization of sound research ideas. Promotes a better understanding of the chemical and functional properties of pectins.

​This text presents the technological and physiological properties of pectin in an educational approach that encompasses all of the essential information a researcher needs to fully understand their function and use in foods. Utilizing basic information on pectin as well as recent technological advances, this book is designed to be the primary resource for individuals seeking out an up to date reference work covering all the necessary informational and functional aspects of pectin. Pectin: technological and physiological properties is the first book to fully focus on the introductory concepts on pectin. Individual chapters cover localization and function, the structural aspects of pectin, pectinases, isolation and characterization and recovery from agricultural wastes. Important current advances such as emulsions, films, digestion, metabolism and bioactive properties are also focused on. With its combination of vital basic information and technological advances, this book presents full and up to date coverage on this pectin and its many forms and uses in foods.

It is clearly demonstrated that significant progress has been made during the past seven years.

This book deepens the study and knowledge on pectins, especially in the processes of extraction, purification, and characterization, in short its many and wide applications. Among the most prominent applications are the food, pharmaceutical, and other industries. The development of pectins has a very promising future with a marked annual increase and with a wide range of sources. As written above, this book will help its readers to expand their knowledge on this biopolymer with vast application in the industry worldwide.

Food Enzymes: Structure and Mechanism is the first volume to bring together current information on the structures and mechanisms of important food enzymes. It provides an in-depth discussion of the dynamic aspects of enzyme structures and their relationship to the chemistry of catalysis. The book emphasizes aspects of the chemistry of enzyme structure and mechanism seldom covered in the food science literature. It includes a thorough discussion of the genetic modification of enzyme structures and functions with reference to specific food enzymes. More than 100 illustrations enhance the clarity of important concepts. Comprehensive references reflect the current state of knowledge on enzyme actions.

This volume results from the Eighth Basic Symposium held by the Institute of Food Technologists in Anaheim, California on June 8-9, 1984. The theme of the symposium was "Chemical Changes in Food during Processing." The speakers included a mix of individuals from academic institu tions, governmental agencies, and the food industry. Twenty speakers discussed topics ranging from the basic chemistry relating to food constituents to the more applied aspects of chemical changes in food components during food processing. It was the intent of the organizers to bring together a group of speakers who could address the chemistry of changes in food compo nents during processing from a mechanistic point of view. As a con sequence, the proceedings of this symposium emphasize the basic chemistry of changes in food constituents from a generic perspective which is intended to provide the reader with a background to address more specific problems that may arise.

The second international symposium on Pectins and Pectinases was organised by Wageningen University and Research Centre and was held in Rotterdam, May 6-10, 2001. This fruitful meeting was attended by around 130 participants from more than 20 countries, representing almost all of the groups/industries working worldwide on pectins and pectinases. Following the first meeting on this subject held in December 1995, the symposium definitely forms a platform for researchers and industries working in the field, all within their own discipline and expertise. The symposium book contains most keynote lectures and other oral presentations and provides an update about the current research. It is clearly demonstrated that significant progress has been made during the past seven years. The progress in the elucidation of the chemical structure of pectin and mode of action and 3-D structure of the pectin-degrading enzymes allows us more and more to identify (and influence) the functionality of pectins and pectic enzymes, both in vitro after isolation as well as in the plants themselves (in planta). Other contributions deal with new applications of both pectin and pectin-degrading enzymes, while more and more attention is paid to health and nutritional aspects of pectins.

Pectins are one of the classes of complex structural plant cell wall polysaccharides. They are localized in the middle lamella and primary cell wall of higher plants. Pectins have a long-standing use as gelling agents whereas their enzymatic degradation or modification plays an important role in the processing of agricultural crops and the manufacturing of foods and beverages. Progress in pectin and pectinase research has been most prominent in two areas over the past 5 years. The first one concerns the analysis and elucidation of the complex chemical structure of pectin and identification of novel enzymes involved in the degradation of these structures. The second area concerns the mode of action and the 3-dimensional structure of various pectin degrading enzymes as well as the cloning of a large number of genes encoding enzymes involved in pectin degradation and modification. This book covers the following topics. First the structural, physical and chemical properties of pectin are treated followed by information about its biosynthesis and about the biological effects of pectin and its degradation products in biological systems such as plant-pathogen interactions and human nutrition. Identification of novel enzymes, the mode of action of different pectinases and the 3-D structure of bacterial pectate lyases forms the second block. This is followed by the genetics and regulation of pectinase biosynthesis in saprophytic and phytopathogenic microbial systems as well as in plant systems. Finally, developments in pectin manufacturing and application of pectinases in traditional (food, beverage) and novel technologies are treated. This book is meant for those actively involved in fundamental and applied aspects of pectin and pectinase research but it is also of value for those interested in plant cell wall biosynthesis and architecture, phytopathology, food technology and human nutrition. This book not only reflects the present status of research in the field but it will turn out to be a very useful reference work as well.

This book provides important insights into the operating principles of plants by highlighting the relationship between structure and function. It describes the quantitative determination of structural and mechanical parameters, such as the material properties of a tissue, in correlation with specific features, such as the ability of the tissue to conduct water or withstand bending forces, which will allow advanced analysis in plant biomechanics. This knowledge enables researchers to understand the developmental changes that occur in plant organs over their life span and under the influence of environmental factors. The authors provide an overview of the state of the art of plant structure and function and how they relate to the mechanical behavior of the organism, such as the ability of plants to grow against the gravity vector or to withstand the forces of wind. They also show the sophisticated strategies employed by plants to effect organ movement and morphogenesis in the absence of muscles or cellular migration. As such, this book not only appeals to scientists currently working in plant sciences and biophysics, but also inspires future generations to pursue their own research in this area.