Impact of successive steps of nano-pectin preparation: characterization, role in combating increased oxidative stress in Wistar rats and its application in jam

Abstract Pectin’s complex structure and bioactive properties make it valuable in food and pharmaceutical industries. This study systematically evaluates the successive steps; microwave, homogenization, ultrasonication, and spray drying, for producing nano-pectin from orange peel ( Citrus sinensis ) and assesses its antioxidant efficacy, physical properties, safety, and application in functional jam with different ratios (0.5, 1, and 1.5%), and it was characterized. The role of nano-pectin to combat increased oxidative stress (IOS) was investigated in animal model given sodium nitrite comprising four groups of rats, (control negative, IOS control positive and two groups of IOS given oral doses of either pectin or nano-pectin) for four weeks. Successive steps reduced particle size to 278 nm with spherical morphology as shown by SEM and increased zeta potential (− 49.57 mV). Antioxidant activity was significantly improved ( p < 0.05), with spray-dried nano-pectin showing the highest DPPH inhibition (96.5% ± 1.98) compared to untreated pectin (42.15 ± 5.44%). Pectin and nano-pectin restored oxidative stress markers (MDA: malondialdehyde, GSH: reduced glutathione), brain function (serotonin, NSE: neuron-specific enolase / GFAP: glial fibrillary acidic protein expression), and restored alteration in body weight in Wistar rats and improved the negative changes in brain histopathological examination, with the better result being for nano-pectin. Incorporating 0.5% nano-pectin into strawberry jam enhanced texture and sensory quality without affecting color. No toxicity was observed in mice model for nano-pectin (LD₅₀ > 0.7 g / Kg B. wt.). Thus, sequential nano-processing significantly enhanced the physicochemical and biological properties of pectin. Nano-pectin showed strong antioxidant and neuroprotective potential and proved to be suitable for functional food application in jam.