Natural Inhibitor of Pectin Esterase

The inhibition of pea-pod (Pisum sativum L.) pectin methylesterase (PE) by pectin methylesterase inhibitor (PEI) from different parts of kiwi fruit (Actinidia chinensis) is described. PE activity of crude PE solution was reduced to 78%, 69% and 91% by crude PEI extract from outer pericarp, inner pericarp and core of kiwi respectively. 60% ammonium sulphate precipitation fractions of the PEI extract of the core and the pericarps further reduce PE activity to 33% and 3.6% respectively.