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Low-molecular pectates extracted from sea grass can protect people from toxic metals and radionuclides. This conclusion was reached by the researchers of the School of Biomedicine at Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU) based on the findings of the research. The results were presented by Maxim Khotimchenko, the Director of the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Far Eastern Federal University, at the International Conference on Functional Food and Chronic Diseases at the Harvard Medical School (USA).

Researchers have studied the effect of low-molecular pectates extracted from the sea grass (Phyllospadics Iwatensis) on laboratory animals. The results of the experiments showed that the use of "marine" pectin greatly accelerates the excretion of strontium and yttrium ions from the body and prevents their accumulation in internal organs. According to the researchers, such structured pectin substances can be used as active components of foods and biologically active food additives to protect people from the harmful effects of toxic metals and radionuclides. They are the main factors of environmental pollution in large cities.

“Participation in the conference of this level provides an opportunity for the FEFU scientists to be among the world leaders in research and development of products of therapeutic and preventive nutrition. The results presented were of considerable interest to the conference participants. It is very likely that in the future we will continue to work in this direction in cooperation with the world's leading research centers,” said Maxim Khotimchenko.

In their latest developments, the team of the FEFU School of Biomedicine managed to obtain derivatives of highly active low-molecular pectins. Scientists have found that reducing the mass leads to an increase in their metal binding ability. For research, they used pectins extracted from sea grass, the structure of which was modified by chemical methods.

The 22^nd International Conference on Functional Foods and Chronic Diseases was organized by the Functional Food Center, Houston. Each year it attracts leading scientists from the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, Korea, Brazil, Germany, Italy, and other countries. Researchers discuss the comprehensive aspects of the use of food products for the treatment and prevention of various diseases.