EXTRACTION AND ANTIMICROBIAL ANALYSIS OF PECTIN FROM AVOCADO (Persea
Americana) LEAVES OBTAINED FROM DAGORETTI
A Research Proposal Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the
Degree of Bachelor of Science in analytical chemistry of Jomo Kenyatta University of
Agriculture and Technology.
2024
,DECLARATION
This research proposal is my original work and has not been presented elsewhere for a
degree ward.
Signature………………………………. Date……………………………….
Declaration by supervisors
This research proposal has been submitted for examination with our approval as
Supervisors
1.Dr Elijah Ngumba, Chemistry Department
Signature………………………………………. Date……………………………………………….
2. Dr. Leonard Gitu, Chemistry Department,
Signature………………………………………Date………………………………………………
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
,DECLARATION 1
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRYNONYMS 4
LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES 5
ABSTRACT. 6
1.0 INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW 8
1.1 Background of the study 8
1.2 Types of avocados 11
1.2.1 Persea Americana var Puebla 11
1.2.2 Persea Americana var Puebla 11
11
1.2.3 Persea Americana var Shepard 11
11
1.3 Occurrence, structure and uses of pectin 12
1.3.1 Occurrence of pectin 12
1.3.2 Structure of pectin 12
1.3.3 Pectin content in various plants 13
1.3.4 Uses of pectin 14
1.4 Previous studies 14
1.5 Statement of the problem 17
1.6 Justification 17
1.7 Null hypothesis 18
1.8 Objectives 18
1.8.1 General objective 18
1.8.2 Specific objectives 18
2.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS 19
2.1 Study area 19
2.2 Reagents and apparatus 19
2.2.1 Sample preparation 19
2.2.2 Pectin extraction from avocado leaves 20
2.3 Determination of the antimicrobial activity 20
2.3.1 Reagents and apparatus 20
2.3.2 Sample preparations 20
2
, 2.3.3 Controls 21
2.3.4 Preparations of the agar and plate 21
2.3.5 Incubation of plates 21
2.3.6 Antimicrobial Disks 21
2.3.7 Incubation 22
2.4 Sample analysis and instrumentation 22
2.4.1 Equivalent weight (titration A) 22
2.4.2 Methoxy content (titration B) 23
2.4.3 Anhydrouronic acid (AUA) content 23
2.4.4 Degree of esterification (DE) 23
2.4.5 Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) 24
2.4.5.1 Reagents and apparatus 24
2.4.5.2 Procedure 24
2.4.6 UV-Visible Spectroscopy 25
2.4.6.1 Reagents and apparatus 25
2.4.6.2 Procedure 25
WORKPLAN 27
BUDGET ESTIMATES 28
REFERENCES 29
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRYNONYMS
AUA Anhydrous acid content
3
Americana) LEAVES OBTAINED FROM DAGORETTI
A Research Proposal Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the
Degree of Bachelor of Science in analytical chemistry of Jomo Kenyatta University of
Agriculture and Technology.
2024
,DECLARATION
This research proposal is my original work and has not been presented elsewhere for a
degree ward.
Signature………………………………. Date……………………………….
Declaration by supervisors
This research proposal has been submitted for examination with our approval as
Supervisors
1.Dr Elijah Ngumba, Chemistry Department
Signature………………………………………. Date……………………………………………….
2. Dr. Leonard Gitu, Chemistry Department,
Signature………………………………………Date………………………………………………
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
,DECLARATION 1
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRYNONYMS 4
LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES 5
ABSTRACT. 6
1.0 INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW 8
1.1 Background of the study 8
1.2 Types of avocados 11
1.2.1 Persea Americana var Puebla 11
1.2.2 Persea Americana var Puebla 11
11
1.2.3 Persea Americana var Shepard 11
11
1.3 Occurrence, structure and uses of pectin 12
1.3.1 Occurrence of pectin 12
1.3.2 Structure of pectin 12
1.3.3 Pectin content in various plants 13
1.3.4 Uses of pectin 14
1.4 Previous studies 14
1.5 Statement of the problem 17
1.6 Justification 17
1.7 Null hypothesis 18
1.8 Objectives 18
1.8.1 General objective 18
1.8.2 Specific objectives 18
2.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS 19
2.1 Study area 19
2.2 Reagents and apparatus 19
2.2.1 Sample preparation 19
2.2.2 Pectin extraction from avocado leaves 20
2.3 Determination of the antimicrobial activity 20
2.3.1 Reagents and apparatus 20
2.3.2 Sample preparations 20
2
, 2.3.3 Controls 21
2.3.4 Preparations of the agar and plate 21
2.3.5 Incubation of plates 21
2.3.6 Antimicrobial Disks 21
2.3.7 Incubation 22
2.4 Sample analysis and instrumentation 22
2.4.1 Equivalent weight (titration A) 22
2.4.2 Methoxy content (titration B) 23
2.4.3 Anhydrouronic acid (AUA) content 23
2.4.4 Degree of esterification (DE) 23
2.4.5 Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) 24
2.4.5.1 Reagents and apparatus 24
2.4.5.2 Procedure 24
2.4.6 UV-Visible Spectroscopy 25
2.4.6.1 Reagents and apparatus 25
2.4.6.2 Procedure 25
WORKPLAN 27
BUDGET ESTIMATES 28
REFERENCES 29
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRYNONYMS
AUA Anhydrous acid content
3
