Pectin: Nature’s Fiber
Pectin is a type of fiber found in the cell walls of many fruits and vegetables. Made up of long chains of polysaccharides, it creates a gelatinous substance within plant cell walls and between cells. This fiber is predominantly found in the non-woody parts of plants, which are the parts we usually eat.
We consume pectin naturally through fruits and vegetables, and it’s widely used as a thickening agent in processed foods, especially in jams and jellies. Enzymes like pectinase, along with cellulase and hemicellulase, aid in the digestion of plant-based foods, enhancing their nutritional and prebiotic benefits. Prebiotics serve as food for probiotic microorganisms in our digestive system.
During ripening, plants use pectinase to break down pectin in and between cell walls, weakening them and making the fruits or vegetables edible. When you test the ripeness of an apple or tomato by squeezing it, you’re indirectly checking the activity of pectinase, which indicates if the fruit is ready to eat.
Health Benefits of Pectinase
Promotes Growth and Health of Intestinal Microbiota
Studies on apple pectin, a commonly used type in food processing, show significant positive effects on beneficial gut bacteria. It increases the production of specific short-chain fatty acids, creating ideal pH conditions for these bacteria. This is promising because the human gut harbors similar beneficial bacteria.
Provides Nourishment for the Colon Lining
Fatty acids like butyrate, produced through the action of pectinase, help fuel the colon. They enhance mucosal blood flow, intestinal motility, and gut permeability. These factors are crucial for proper absorption and reducing the risk of allergen absorption through the gut.
Increases Digestibility and Absorption of Plant Foods
Animal studies suggest that adding pectinase and other enzymes to livestock feed aids digestion, allowing animals to better utilize nutrients and minerals. This practice is widespread in commercial animal feeding, and theoretically, these benefits could extend to humans as well.
Understanding Pectinase Measurements
There is currently no standardized measure for pectinase according to the Food Chemical Codex (FCC) division of the United States Pharmacopeia (USP). For some pectinase enzymes, activity is measured in AJDU’s (Apple Juice Depectinizing Units), which gauge the hydrolysis of hemicellulose polymers into short-chain molecules and eventually 5-carbon sugars. A higher number indicates more active enzymes.
Finding the Best Source of Pectinase
VeganZyme? offers a 100% vegan form of pectinase derived from the fermentation of Aspergillus niger. It’s non-GMO, kosher-certified, vegan, and gluten-free.
VeganZyme is the most advanced, full-spectrum systemic and digestive enzyme formula available. It contains enzymes that help digest fats, sugars, proteins, carbohydrates, gluten, nuts and seeds, dairy, and other foods. It can also be used as a systemic enzyme blend to break down excess mucus, fibrin, various toxins, allergens, and excess clotting factors throughout the body.
