From Nature to Science: A Review of the Applications of Pectin-Based Hydrogels

Pectin is widely used in different areas like biomedical, pharmaceutical, food, and environmental industries thanks to its gelling properties. Pectin hydrogels are of great interest because of their wide biomedical applications in drug delivery, tissue engineering, wound healing, the food industry, agriculture, and cosmetic products because of their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and non-toxic nature. This review provides an understanding of pectin-based hydrogels and their applications in various industrial areas. In addition, an overview of emerging technologies and recent applications of pectin hydrogels is provided, including the controlled and targeted release of bioactive compounds or drugs. They are used as a scaffold for cell growth, as a wound dressing to promote healing, as a fat replacer in food, and as a texturizer in skin-care products. It also serves as a coating for seeds to improve their germination and growth. This paper also identifies knowledge gaps and future research direction for optimizing pectin hydrogels.