timeStudies were carried out at different irradiation times (60–180 s)in order to select a proper irradiation time to enhance the extractionyield of pectin. From the results, it was observed that, the extrac-tion yield of pectin was increased rapidly and reached maximum at128 s and decreased slowly (Fig. 2a, d–e). This phenomenon couldexplain the fact that, the thermal accumulation within extractionsolution due to the absorption of microwave energy promoted thedissolution process of pectin into solution until 128 s and decreasedthe yield gradually. Whereas, too long irradiation time may lead todegradation of pectin chain molecules, thus affecting pectin extraction