Influence Of Cheese Containing Low-Esterified Beet Pectin On Heavy Metals Accumulation In Rats’ Tissues

Abstract

Nowadays, pectin used for removing heavy metals from different biological systems, human and animals' organisms. The daily intake of pectin could be useful against heavy metals exposure of humans and animals. An in vivo experiment on 120 rats was carried out to determine the influence of cheese containing low-esterified beet pectin on heavy metals accumulation in rats’ organs, muscles, feces and femur.  Lead nitrate and cadmium chloride were used as sources of heavy metals. The concentration of lead and cadmium in feces was higher in all groups receiving heavy metals, compared to control group. The content of heavy metals in fecal samples of groups receiving dairy products was higher compared to the group receiving only heavy metals solution, which shows the possibility of the studied cheese with pectin to influence and contribute to the elimination of heavy metals from the body. The results of this research work showed the effectiveness of consumption low-esterified pectin containing milk products in reducing the quantity of accumulated heavy metals in rats’ tissues. In perspective, a new direction of functional food products with detoxifying properties could be developed.