Cultivar/Location and Processing Methods Affect Yield and Quality of Sunflower Pectin

The influence of cultivar/location of sunflower and grinding, blanching, water washing, and re‐extraction of sunflower head residues were studied for yield and quality of pectin. Sunflower head residues from seven varieties/locations were used. The Interstate cultivar from Ardock (North Dakota) and Agri‐Pro from Canington (North Dakota) had highest yields (9.14–9.47%). Galacturonic acid content of the pectin did not differ significantly among cultivars. Grinding sunflower heads to particle size <60 mesh did not increase yield or quality of pectin. Peroxidase in head residues was completely inactivated after heat treatment at 75°C for 15 min. Higher shear blending did not increase yield, but decreased molecular mass and firmness of pectin gels. Extracting pectin twice yielded a total 13–14% pectin without lowering pectin quality.