PURIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PECTIN FROM LEMON (CITRUS LIMON) AND APPLICATION IT AS ANTI CANDIDIAL INFECTIONS AGENT

Abstract

The pectin was extracted from lemon peels with hydrochloric acid. The isolated lectin was a light yellow tint after extraction. The content of pectin increased with temperature increasing up to 80°C, and a pH of 1 in the extraction medium produced the highest pectin output. C. albicans, C. tropicalis and Candida glabrata were the predominated species in the urine samples from hospitalized patients. Clotrimazole and miconazole, two routinely prescribed antifungal medications, showed a moderate rate of sensitivity. While employing extracted pectin as fresh material, certain isolates of Candida albicans, C. tropicalis and Candida glabrata, in 100 g/disc revealed a good level of anti-candidial activity that was higher than the utilized antibiotics. It is recommended to encourage using of pectin as an alternate treatment for nosocomial and community-based Candida infections.