2025-11-01 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES 2025 329(卷), null(期), (null页)
Cressa cretica, is an underutilized halophyte that thrives in saline and arid environments and produces substantial biomass. This study explored the extraction and functional application of biopolymers from C. cretica and the use of bacterial pectinolytic enzymes to improve peach juice quality. Pectin and cellulose were chemically extracted from C. cretica and analyzed using Scanning Electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The extracted cellulose was further modified into methylcellulose using dimethyl sulphate and incorporated into a cellulosic composite comprising of polyvinyl alcohol, thereby demonstrating its potential for value-added applications. The extracted pectin was fermented under submerged conditions to produce pectinase from Bacillus vallismortis MH10 and Neobacillus sedimentimangrovi UE25. The crude pectinases from these bacteria were applied in different dosages for different reaction times to enhance peach juice yield, clarity, and antioxidant potential. Enzymatic treatment with 30 units of N. sedimentimangrovi UE25 pectinase for 30 min produced the highest juice yield (80.37 %) and elevated antioxidant activity (DPPH 87.3 %, ABTS 92.71 %), while B. vallismortis MH10 pectinase yielded comparable results after 120 min of treatment. These findings demonstrate the potential of C. cretica biomass as a sustainable source of functional biopolymers and valuable industrial compounds.