Investigation of Electrogelation of Low Methoxyl Pectin and Its Potential Applications

Phatteera Baramee; Natussawan Chuaisat; Maythaporn Binsorleah; Natcha Wadwong; Kanitta Boonfueng; Nathamol Chindapan; Kobsak Kanjanapongkul

doi:10.55003/ETH.430210

Authors

Phatteera Baramee Faculty of Engineering at Kamphaengsean, Kasetsart University, Thailand
Natussawan Chuaisat Faculty of Engineering at Kamphaengsean, Kasetsart University, Thailand
Maythaporn Binsorleah Faculty of Engineering at Kamphaengsean, Kasetsart University, Thailand
Natcha Wadwong Faculty of Engineering at Kamphaengsean, Kasetsart University, Thailand
Kanitta Boonfueng Faculty of Engineering at Kamphaengsean, Kasetsart University, Thailand
Nathamol Chindapan Faculty of Science, Siam University, Thailand
Kobsak Kanjanapongkul Faculty of Engineering at Kamphaengsean, Kasetsart University, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55003/ETH.430210

Keywords:

Electrogelation, Green technology, Low methoxyl pectin, Water treatment

Abstract

Electrogelation is a promising technique for producing biopolymer gels with controllable structures and properties; however, its behavior in low-methoxyl pectin (LMP) systems remains insufficiently understood. In this study, a new electrogelation setup was developed to investigate the effects of applied voltage (4–12 V), pectin concentration (2–4%w/v), and processing time (up to 120 min) on LMP electrogel formation. The electrogel exhibited controlled growth rates that increased with voltage from approximately 1.0 mg/min at low voltage to 3.13 mg/min at 12 V, producing progressively denser and stiffer gels. Higher gel density was associated with greater calcium incorporation, as confirmed by post-furnace residue analysis. The system also enabled the successful fabrication of multilayer hydrogels with controlled layer composition and structure. In addition, the electrogelation process demonstrated potential for copper ion removal from water. At an initial Cu²⁺ concentration of 2700 mg/L and 8 V, reducing the pectin concentration from 1%w/v to 0.5%w/v significantly improved removal performance, achieving near-complete copper removal within 50 min (68 mg/L min). These findings provide new insights into the electrogelation behavior of LMP and demonstrate the potential of this approach for applications in food structuring, biomedical scaffolds, and environmentally friendly water treatment.

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