Pectin Microspheres: Synthesis Methods, Properties, and Their Multidisciplinary Applications

There is great contemporary interest in using cleaner technologies through green chemistry and utilizing biopolymers as raw material. Pectin is found on plant cell walls, and it is commonly extracted from fruit shells, mostly apples or citrus fruits. Pectin has applications in many areas of commercial relevance; for this reason, it is possible to find available information about novel methods to transform pectin and pursuing enhanced features, with the structuring of biopolymer microspheres being highly cited to enhance its activity. The structuring of polymers is a technique that has been growing in recent decades, due to its potential for diverse applications in various fields of science and technology. Several techniques are used for the synthesis of microspheres, such as ionotropic gelation, extrusion, aerosol drying, or emulsions, with the latter being the most commonly used method based on its reproducibility and simplicity. The most cited applications are in drug delivery, especially for the treatment of colon diseases and digestive-tract-related issues. In the industrial field, it is used for protecting encapsulated compounds; moreover, the environmental applications mainly include the bioremediation of toxic substances. However, there are still many possibilities for expanding the use of this biopolymer in the environmental field.

Automated summary

There is a growing interest in the use of cleaner technologies and biopolymers as raw materials. Pectin, which is commonly extracted from fruit shells like apples or citrus fruits, has various commercial applications. The structuring of biopolymer microspheres using pectin has been widely cited to enhance its activity. The technique of polymer structuring has gained popularity in recent decades due to its diverse applications in science and technology. The most commonly used method for synthesizing microspheres is emulsion, known for its reproducibility and simplicity. Drug delivery and industrial protection are among the most cited applications, while there are still possibilities for expanding its use in the environmental field.