“Nature's Polymer Reimagined: Conventional and Green Routes to Pectin, Its Bioactive Promise and Industrial Applications”

Pectin, a molecular tapestry woven from diverse polysaccharides, holds a pivotal role across food, pharmaceutical, and biomedical frontiers. There is rising curiosity in the field of this hydrocolloid due to its versatile nature. Current research is focused on pectin extraction not only from fruits but also from agricultural waste materials to reduce environmental impacts and promote a circular economy. Traditional extraction methods, which often depend on harsh acid hydrolysis, are associated with low yields, high energy consumption, and compromised structural integrity. These challenges, coupled with increasing demand and environmental concerns, have driven the search for innovative extraction techniques. Eco‐innovations in pectin recovery have improved the yield, efficiency, and functional quality of pectin. In the food industry, pectin serves as a key emulsifier, gelling agent, and stabilizer, whereas in the biomedical field, it is valued for its antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticoagulant, prebiotic, and anticancer activities. The unique physicochemical properties, health‐promoting functions, biocompatibility, and biodegradable nature of pectins make them suitable for designing advanced composites with tailored functionalities. This review embarks on a journey through the evolving landscape of pectin extraction, contrasts the limitations of conventional methodologies with the promise of emerging green extraction techniques, and explores the multifunctional properties of pectin that make it valuable for applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and environmental sectors. Moreover, this review adds a new layer of understanding of industrial hurdles faced by pectin in its applications across sectors.