Strontium sorption by pectins isolated from the Sea grasses Zostera marina and Phyllospadix iwatensis

In this study, we determined the parameters of sorption of strontium ions by pectins that were isolated from the sea grasses Zostera marina and Phyllospadix iwatensis collected in the Peter the Great Bay of the Sea of Japan. The maximum strontium binding capacity and the coefficient of affinity with respect to strontium ions were significantly higher in sea grass pectins than in commercial pectin. These parameters were correlated with the etherification degree of pectins. The sea grasses studied here can be considered as a promising source of pectins for the binding and removal of strontium radioisotopes from the human body.