This invention discloses a method for improving the gelling properties of low-
sugar jam using high molecular weight
citrus pectin, and the resulting low-
sugar jam, belonging to the field of
food processing technology. While existing
steam explosion technology can increase
pectin extraction rate, it reduces the molecular weight of
pectin from 318.41 kDa to 48.26 kDa, deteriorating the jam's gelling properties. This invention first extracts high molecular weight
pectin from citrus peel
pomace using
dry ice in-situ explosion technology—
dry ice sublimates in a sealed container at
room temperature, generating a
volume expansion effect, and performing a purely physical explosion from within the
cell walls, completely avoiding the damage to the covalent bonds of pectin caused by high temperatures. The resulting pectin has a molecular weight ≥280 kDa and a
galacturonic acid content ≥86%. This pectin is then directly used in the preparation of low-
sugar jam, utilizing its long molecular chain characteristics to form a denser three-dimensional
network structure under
calcium ion crosslinking. Experiments show that the jam of this invention has a 150% higher
hardness than that using conventional low molecular weight pectin, and a
water retention rate of 98.8% at 4℃, achieving high-value utilization of citrus peel
pomace and a significant improvement in the quality of low-sugar jam.