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Dear Paul,
Pectin is a naturally occurring substance (a polyscaccaride) found in berries, apples and other fruit. When heated together with sugar, it causes a thickening that is characteristic of jams and jellies.
Insoluble protopectin, pectin in its complex form, is part of the non-woody parts of terrestrial plants. In the middle lamella between plant cells, pectin helps to bind cells together and regulates water in the plant.
The amount, structure and chemical composition of the pectin differs between plants, within a plant over time and in different parts of a plant. Tough parts contain more pectin than soft parts of a plant. During ripening, pectin is broken down by the enzymes pectinase and pectinesterase; in this process the fruit becomes softer as the cell walls break down.
Pectin is a natural part of human diet, but does not contribute significantly to nutrition. The daily intake of pectin from fruit and vegetables can be estimated to be around 5 g (assuming consumption of approximately 500 g fruit and vegetable per day).
In human digestion, pectin passes through the small intestine more or less intact. In the large intestine and colon, microorganisms degrade pectin and liberate short-chain fatty acids that have positive influence on health (prebiotic effect). Pectin is thus a soluble dietary fiber.
Consumption of pectin has been shown to reduce blood cholesterol levels. The mechanism appears to be an increase of viscosity in the intestinal tract, leading to a reduced absorption of cholesterol from bile or food.
In medicine, pectin increases viscosity and volume of stool so that it is used against constipation and diarrhea. Until 2002, it was one of the main ingredients used in Kaopectate, along with kaolinite. Pectin is also used in throat lozenges as a demulcent. In cosmetic products, pectin acts as stabilizer. Pectin is also used in wound healing preparations and specialty medical adhesives, such as colostomy devices.
For more information on pectin refer to this link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pectin) on wikipedia and this link (http://www.pickyourown.org/pectin.htm) about the use of pectin in food preparations, types of pectin found in the market and so on.
Recent studies by scientists from the University of Georgia have revealed that pectin can kill prostate cancer cells. Read this article (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/80268.php) for more information.
Hope this answers your question.
Have a wonderful day
Guru
