The effect of extraction time on the yield of pectin obtained using various extractants and pHs with a substrate–extractant ratio of 1:25 (w/v) at 95 C is shown in Table 1 . Increasing extraction time from 1.5 to 3.0 h using citric acid at pH 2.5 significantly increased (p < 0.05) the yield of pectins (Table 1 ). Vriesmann et al. (2012) and Canteri Schemin et al. (2005) reported that the yield of pectin obtained was directly correlated with an increase in extraction time using citric acid extraction of pectin from cocoa husks and apple pomace, respectively. Furthermore, the highest yield of pectin was obtained using citric acid at pH 2.5 at 95 C for 3.0 h (Table 1 ). This indicates that citric acid at pH 2.5 is the
most efficacious matrix for pectin extraction from cocoa husks and is a good alternative to using hydrochloric acid for pectin extraction of cocoa husks.