Back to results
US 6,143,337 AGranted
Extraction of pectin by microwave heating under pressure
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
InventorsMarshall L. Fishman, Hoa K. Chau
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
High-quality pectins may be extracted from pectin-containing plant materials with microwave energy under pressure. The pectins are characterized by increased molecular weight, size and intrinsic viscosity when compared to pectin extracted by conventional heating techniques.
Claims16
A method for extracting pectin from pectin-containing plant material, said method comprising
- a) making a mixture of pectin-containing plant material and an acidic aqueous medium,
- b) placing the mixture in a closed microwave-transparent container,
- c) applying microwave energy to the mixture at a frequency and for a time sufficient for temperature and pressure inside the container to increase, and for pectin extraction to occur,
- d) cooling the mixture, and
- e) separating extracted pectin from residue.
2 more elements
A method for extracting pectin from pectin-containing plant materials, said method comprising
- a) making a mixture of pectin-containing plant material and an acidic aqueous medium of about pH 1 to about pH 3,
- b) placing the mixture in a closed microwave-transparent container,
- c) applying microwave energy of about 630 Watts to the mixture at a frequency of about 2450 MHz for a time sufficient for the temperature inside the container to reach a maximum of about 150.degree. C. and the pressure within the container to reach a maximum of about 50 psi,
- d) cooling the mixture, and
- e) separating extracted pectin from residue.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.