Study of complexing ability of pectin with respect to copper and lead

Body resistance to negative factors can be maintained by healthful and dietary meals. Pectin is a unique biologically active agent with radioprotective and other preventive properties. A number of studies confirmed the complexing ability of pectin. It was based on interaction of the pectin molecule with heavy metal cations. This fact made it possible to use pectin as a detoxicating agent in case of poisoning by salts of heavy metals. Objective. The aim of this paper was to study the influence of various factors on pectin complexing properties with respect to copper and lead. Materials and Methods. The binding affinity of apple pectin taken in various concentrations (0.5-2.0 %) was determined by its interaction with solutions of copper and lead salts in acidic and alkaline media. The solutions were incubated, and the precipitates were separated by filtration. Spectrophotometer KFK-2MP was used to measure the optical density of solutions. Graduated dependency diagram of metallic ion concentration on the optical density was constructed. Results. The complexing ability of apple pectin in alkaline medium (as opposed to acidic medium) is maximal. The best complexing occurs when copper and lead ions interact with dilute pectin solutions. The maximum metal ions binding takes place when pectic concentration readings fall within the range 0.5±0.1 %. The maximum binding occurs within the 1st hour. Conclusion. Metals affect the complexing ability of pectins. Copper and lead ions can be represented as a series: Cu2+>Pb2+ due to their complexing reaction with pectin.