pectin

[ pek-tin ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. a white, amorphous, colloidal carbohydrate of high molecular weight occurring in ripe fruits, especially in apples, currants, etc., and used in fruit jellies, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics for its thickening and emulsifying properties and its ability to solidify to a gel.

pectin

/ ˈpɛktɪn /

noun

1. biochem any of the acidic hemicelluloses that occur in ripe fruit and vegetables: used in the manufacture of jams because of their ability to solidify to a gel when heated in a sugar solution (may be referred to on food labels as E440 ( a ))

pectin

/ pĕk′tĭn /

1. Any of a group of carbohydrate substances found in the cell walls of plants and in the tissue between certain plant cells. Pectin is produced by the ripening of fruit and helps the ripe fruit remain firm. As the fruit overripens, the pectin breaks down into simple sugars (monosaccharides) and the fruit loses its shape and becomes soft. Pectins can be made to form gels, and are used in certain medicines and cosmetics and in making jellies.

Derived Forms

• ˈpectic, adjective

Other Words From

• pec·ti·na·ceous [pek-t, uh, -, ney, -sh, uh, s], pectin·ous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pectin¹

1830–40; < Greek pēkt ( ós ) fixed, congealed ( pectic ) + -in ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of pectin¹

C19: from Greek pēktos congealed, from pegnuein to set

Example Sentences

The process also activates pectin, an acidic polysaccharide present in many fruits that sets the jam into a spreadable gel.

From Salon

Farmhouses across the nation practically required at least one of the long-lived trees because of quinces’ natural pectin, an important gelling ingredient in preserves.

From Seattle Times

Sugar, pectin and a little lemon juice are the only other ingredients.

From Seattle Times

The fiber pectin is found mainly in an apple's pulp.

From Salon

When grapes are crushed, the juice produced contains tiny particles of pectins, carbohydrates and proteins, which create a haze or cloudiness in the wine.

From National Geographic

Related Words

• gelatin
• jelly
• marmalade