Variability in cell wall preparations: quantification and comparison of common methods

Cell wall materials were prepared from apple tissue by seven different procedures, some of which are methods in current use in laboratories. The yield, the composition and the fractionation patterns of the pectin content, following sequential extraction in water, chelating agent (CDTA) and a pectin lyase treatment, was compared for each CWM. Variability of the yields and compositions of the CWM were small and few differences were statistically significant. There were differences in the partitioning pattern of the pectin during fractionation but also a high standard deviation of the yields between repetitions.