Is Pectin A Chemical?

Pectin is a heterosaccharide – a glycoside – that is derived from the cell wall of plants.  

It can be found in most plants, but is particularly concentrated in citrus fruits such as apples, plums, gooseberries and oranges, and is extracted to be used in some throat lozenges to ease symptoms of a sore throat and mouth.  It is also used with the clay kaolin (hydrated aluminium silicate) for the management of diarrhoea, and marketed as a nutritional supplement for the management of elevated cholesterol.

It is taken from the shredded fruit peel or pulp by adding hot acid into which the pectin dissolves.  

It is also used as an edible thickening agent in some processed food, as under these acidic conditions, it forms a gel which is used when making jams and jellies.