A static and dynamic light scattering study of sharp pectin fractions in aqueous solution.

A number of sharp fractions from low methoxyl citrus pectin have been studied using dynamic and static light scattering and size exclusion chromatography. The efficiency of the dynamic light scattering technique for the characterization of aqueous pectin solutions is demonstrated even when aggregages are present. The measured molar mass dependence of the Stokes radius confirms the semi-rigid structure of pectin. The effect of a number of sample manipulations on the aggregate content has been investigated and a simple but effective purification method is presented.