ATOMIC-ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPIC INVESTIGATION OF THE MINERAL FRACTIONOF PECTINS OBTAINED FROM PUMPKIN AND SUGAR-BEET

Data on the mineral composition of plant cell wall carboxypolysacchari des (pectins), obtained from non-traditional vegetable sources (pumpki n and sugar beet) using a biotechnological process of enzymatic extrac tion (biopectin) and the traditional method of acid treatment, are pre sented. The results have been obtained by flame (FAAS) or graphite fur nace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS) and include trace analyses of the heavy metal content. It is shown that biopectin has an unusual ly high total mineral content, due mainly to markedly increased conten ts of Ca and Mg. The content of a series of alkaline, alkaline earth, and heavy metals in the pectins is compared considering the effect of the extraction method.