Pectins from the sea grass Enhalus acoroides (L.f.) Royle: Structure, biological activity and ability to form nanoparticles

Two pectins from the seagrass Enhalus acoroides (L.f.) Royle were isolated for the first time. Their structures and biological activities were investigated. NMR spectroscopy showed one of them to consist exclusively from the repeating →4-α-d-GalpUA→ residue (Ea1), while the other had a much more complex structure that also included 1→3-linked α-d-GalpUA residues, 1→4-linked β-apiose residues and small amounts of galactose and rhamnose (Ea2). The pectin Ea1 showed noticeable dose-dependent immunostimulatory activity, the Ea2 fraction was less effective. Both pectins were used to create pectin-chitosan nanoparticles for the first time, and the influence of pectin/chitosan mass ratio on their size and zeta potential was investigated. Ea1 particles were slightly smaller than Ea2 particles (77 ± 16 nm vs 101 ± 12 nm) and less negatively charged (−23 mV vs −39 mV). Assessment of their thermodynamic parameters showed that only the second pectin could form nanoparticles at room temperature. •Two pectins from the seagrass Enhalus acoroides were isolated for the first time.•One was (1→4)-α-D-galacturonan, the other also contained the residues of (1→3)-α-D-GalpUA, (1→4)-β-Api, Gal and Rha. One pectin was shown to be (1→4)-α-D-galacturonan•The first pectin showed noticeable immunostimulatory activity.•The second pectin was able to form pectin-chitosan nanoparticles at room temperature.