Mechanistic insights into changes in endogenous water soluble pectin and carotenoid bioaccessibility in mango beverage upon high pressure processing.

High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) (300/400/500 MPa for 5 min) and high pressure homogenization (HPH) (50/100 MPa for 1 pass) were applied to mango beverage to explore their effects on water soluble pectin (WSP) and bioaccessibility of total carotenoids (BAC), and the relationship between BAC and modified WSP. Compared to untreated sample, HPH at 50 and 100 MPa combined with/without HHP pronouncedly increased the WSP and galacturonic acid (GalA) concentrations in mango beverage and the molecular weight (M w) of WSP, decreased the degree of methylesterification (DM) of WSP, and affected other structural indicators of WSP to various extent, while alone HHP slightly increased the GalA concentration in mango beverage and the M w of WSP. These changes induced by high pressure processing were mainly due to mechanical release and solubilization of the pectin embedded in cell wall with higher M w , shorter/fewer side chains, and lower DM. HPH had more pronounced effects on WSP than HHP due to stronger mechanical force. Compared to untreated sample, HPH at 50 MPa and HHP had no significant effect on BAC, while HPH at 100 MPa significantly increased the BAC by 32.22% and HPH (100 MPa) +HHP increased the BAC by 38.65%–76.32%. The BAC showed positive binomial correlations with GalA and WSP, and upwards binomial correlations with the M w of WSP and viscosity of mango beverage. Moreover, a statistical negative correlation was found between the BAC and DM. Results highlighted the potential of high pressure processing to regulate the BAC by modifying WSP and affecting WSP-carotenoids interactions. [Display omitted] • HPH and HHP could depolymerize WSP in pure WSP solution. • Different structure and concentrations of WSP in mango juice induced by HPH or HHP. • HHP and HPH affect WSP mainly by triggering solubilization of pectin embedded in cell wall. • High pressure processing could regulate BAC by modifying WSP structure and content. • Carotenoid-WSP interaction promoted by HPH combined with/without HHP may favor BAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]