Preparation of salts of galacturonic acid from beet pulp

Abstract

Dried beet pulp can be hydrolyzed by a commercial pectic enzyme, and Ca galacturonate, NaCa galacturonate, and NaSr galacturonate can be obtained readily from the hydrolyzate. The crystalline salts are obtained by neutralization of the hydrolyzate with suitable bases, followed by concentration. Samples of dried beet pulp gave Ca galacturonate, NaCa galacturonate, and NaSr galacturonate in yields corresponding to 105 g., 227 g., and 255 g./kg., respectively. NaSr galacturonate can be separated, at least in some cases, directly from silage drainage liquor. The occurrence of galacturonic acid in the drainage liquor suggests the possibility of developing a process in which hydrolysis is effected by organisms grown in beet pulp.