This work demonstrates a facile strategy to adjust the pectin
composition, such as the degree of methoxylation and the protein
content. Through dialysis, initially low methoxyl and low protein
pectinresultedinitshighmethoxylformwithproteincontentthree
times higher. Both, raw (PC) and dialyzed (dPC) pectins acted as
stabilizing agents for the aqueous synthesis of PPy because sta-
ble pectin-PPy dispersions were obtained. Pectin hydrogels were
successfully prepared using calcium as the crosslinking agent. The
highest swelling index at pH 1.2 was obtained for the gel h-dPC-
PPy. Conversely, both hydrogels lost their mechanical integrity at
pH 6.8 due to the extremely high degree of swelling. In addition,
the powder obtained from the sample h-PC-PPy demonstrated that
PPy is in a more oxidized state when compared to h-dPC-PPy.
Nevertheless, it was verified that the PPy is electroactive in both
hydrogels,though the redox processes occur more readily in h-dPC-
PPy. Therefore, the composite hydrogels can potentially be applied
in areas where the use of conducting hydrogels in acidic medium
is advantageous.