Methods of obtaining selected pectin fractions, such fractions and their use

A selected pectin fraction having a degree of esterification which is at least 50% and a setting time which is in the range of 0 to 100 sec, 101 to 200 sec, 201 to 300 sec or in excess of 300 sec, wherein said selected pectin fraction is selected from the group consisting of a first pectin fraction and an at least one second pectin fraction each obtainable by a process comprising:

• subjecting a starting material comprising high-esterified pectin to a first treatment cycle comprising a step of extracting the starting material with an aqueous medium at an acidic pH under conditions where only a part of the pectin content is extracted,
• separating a pectin extract from the treated starting material and recovering the pectin from the pectin extract to obtain the first pectin fraction,
• followed by at least one further treatment cycle whereby the treated starting material extracted in a preceding treatment cycle is extracted with an aqueous extraction medium under conditions where at least a part of the pectin content is extracted from the treated starting material extracted in a preceding treatment cycle and recovering the pectin from an at least one second pectin extract to obtain the at least one second pectin fraction, the pH of the aqueous extraction medium in the at least one further treatment cycle being lower than in the immediately preceding treatment cycle, said at least one second pectin fraction being separate from said first pectin fraction, said process producing selected pectin fractions having successively increasing setting times.