Pectin – An emerging new bioactive food polysaccharide

Pectin is a constituent of the cell walls of fruits and vegetables, and provides an important source of dietary fibre, as well as being a functional ingredient in processed foods. In addition to the health benefits associated with dietary fibre, new health claims are emerging, particularly with regard to the bioactive roles for modified pectin as an anti-cancer agent. These suggest that the modification creates molecular fragments, some of which may bind to and inhibit the various actions of the pro-metastatic protein galectin-3. The evidence for such a mechanism and the nature of the bioactive fragments will be discussed.

► Modified pectin is claimed to have anti-cancer properties. ► Modified pectin is considered to act by inhibiting galectin-3. ► Mechanistic aspects of the role of galectin-3 are discussed. ► Mechanisms for uptake and distribution of modified pectin are discussed.