Abstract:The effects of different processing methods on the extraction and physicochemical properties of pectin from Akebia trifoliata peel were investigated to improve the extraction rate and pectin quality. Pectin was extracted by acid method from the unprocessed Akebia trifoliata peel powder and the peel powder was further processed by stir-frying, sand-making, vinegar-making and wine-making methods, and the structure of pectin was characterized. The extraction rate of pectin, content of galacturonic acid, esterification degree, emulsifying activity, emulsifying stability and antioxidation were determined. The extraction yield, galacturonic acid content and antioxidant activity of vinegar-making pectin were the highest, reaching 19.53%, 83.51% and 82.95%, respectively. The first two indexes were 5.90% and 6.41% higher than those of unprocessed pectin, respectively. The processing method order from high to low were vinegar-making>wine-making> sand-making>stir-frying according to the extraction rate of pectin and the content of galacturonic acid. The esterification degree of vinegar-making pectin (82.26%) was close to that of unprocessed pectin (82.51%), and its emulsifying activity and stability were also higher, reaching 89.23 m2/g and 160.15 min, suggesting the processing method order from high to low was vinegar-making>wine- making>stir-fryingg>sand-making. The pectins prepared by different processing methods were characterized by FT-IR, XRD and SEM, and their structural properties were basically consistent with the characteristics of pectin. Vinegar-making method could significantly improve the extraction rate of pectin and the galacturonic acid content, effectively keeping the quality of pectin extracted from Akebia trifoliata peel.