Interactions between highly galloylated persimmon tannins and pectins

The interactions between pectins of different degrees of esterification (DE) and highly galloylated persimmon tannins with average degrees of polymerisation (DP26 and DP5) were investigated by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry and pyrene fluorescence methods Pectins displayed strong effects on the self-aggregation of persimmon tannins and improved the homogeneity of condensed tannin aggregates. The interaction between tannins and pectins may result from hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions; by contrast, electrostatic interactions, which involve charged molecules in general, played no dominant role. In addition, the presence of gallate moieties in the high-polymerisation proanthocyanidin could enhance affinity with highly methylated pectins. Stronger association was observed with the high-polymerisation tannins (DP26) with high-methoxyl pectin (DE74) (Ka = (8.50 ± 3.0) × 103 M−1) than with low-methylated pectin (DE30) (Ka = (3.62 ± 1.92) × 103 M−1). The present results are expected to promote the application of the formed complexes as functional ingredients in food.