Effect of Processing on Cell Wall Polysaccharides of Green Table Olives

Cell wall material (CWM) was prepared from green olive pulp processed according to the “Sevillian Style”. Polymers were solubilized from the CWM by the sequential extraction with trans -1,2-cyclohexanediamine- N, N, N ‘, N ‘-tetraacetic acid, sodium salt (CDTA); Na 2 CO 3; 1 M KOH; 4 M KOH; and 4 M KOH + borate to leave a cellulosic residue (CR). The polymers from the various extracts were fractionated and selected fractions were subjected to methylation analysis. This study showed that the softening of the olive pulp with the processing was due to a partial degradation of the pectic polysaccharides. Part of the degraded polymers were solubilized during the preparation of the CWM and the majority were solubilized after CDTA treatment. The CWM also showed coprecipitation with intracellular proteins and phenolic compounds that originated a material that was insoluble in aqueous solutions. The hemicellulosic polymers were not significantly affected by the processing.