Electric field assisted membrane separation of pectin
अन्वेषक	Dr. S. De ; Dr. Sunando Dasgupta Mr. Biswajit Sarkar Mr. Pramod Rai
Patent	Filed
Pectin, a complex polysaccharide, carries negative charge which is higher at higher pH and lower degree of methoxylation. Therefore, application of external electric field during membrane separation is advantageous. The present invention utilizes the charged nature of pectin; a typical application is in clarification of fruit juice. In citrus fruit, apart from lower molecular weight components like sugar, acid, etc., high molecular weight components like pectin and its derivatives are also present. Pectin and its derivatives which are well known gel forming materials result in decline in filtration rate and hence reduction in throughput of the process. In this invention, a suitable electric field is utilized to migrate the pectin molecules away from the membrane surface leading to a reduction in gel layer resistance and substantial increase in filtration rate and hence increase in productivity. Application of electric field (in the range of 200 to 400 V/m) for enhanced separation of pectin, for the first time, during membrane clarification of fruit juice. Substantial increase in productivity of the process is accomplished due to enhanced removal of pectin. In absence of pectin, increase of shelf-life of the clarified juice is achieved.

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