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@ AGROBiz | May-June . 2025• Derived from fruit waste like apple pomace and citrus or dragon fruit peels , pectin is safe , plant-based , and free from religious restrictions - making it an ideal substitute for gelatin in food , cosmetics , and pharmaceuticals .
• By extracting pectin from discarded fruit peels , Malaysia can reduce agricultural waste , empower rural small and medium-sized enterprises ( SMEs ), support halal innovation , and decrease its dependency on imported gelatin and pectin .
• To realise pectin ’ s full potential , investment in green extraction technologies , halal certification processes , and SME support systems is essential , alongside strategic collaboration between scientists , policymakers , and halal bodies such as JAKIM .
Nurul Widad Fitri binti Muhammad Faculty of Shariah & Muamalat Sultan Ismail Petra International Islamic University College
Nurrulhidayah Binti Ahmad Fadzillah International Institute for Halal Research and Training ( INHART ) International Islamic University Malaysia ( IIUM )