Metal binding activity of pectin isolated from seagrass Zostera marina and its derivatives

Low esterified pectin was isolated from the seagrass Zostera marina . Dynamics of the isolation process for the pectin from this seagrass was investigated. Two pectin derivatives: galacturonide (A) with molecular weight 30.55 kDa and galacturonide (B) with molecular weight 3.94 kDa were obtained using acidic hydrolysis of the native pectin from Zostera marina . Molecular weight parameters (Mw, Mn, Mw/Mn) of this pectin and its derivatives as well as of commercial apple pectin were determined using gel-filtration chromatography method. Comparative assessment of Cd 2+ , Pb 2+ , Y 3+ -binding activity of the native Zostera pectin, galacturonides A and B, and commercial apple pectin was performed. The results showed that galacturonide A with molecular weight 30.55 kDa possesses highest metal-binding capacity and may be considered as a candidate for development of medicines with metal-binding activity.