Influence of pectins on NADPH oxidase and phagocytic activity of neutrophils during cryopreservation. 
NADPH oxidase activation was studied by detecting the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the dynamics of neutrophil phagocytic activity in blood before freezing and one day after exposure to -20 degrees C in the presence of pectic polysaccharides.  Pectins (excluding lemnan) were found to increase the phagocytic activity of neutrophils, promote the formation of ROS in these cells and enhance NADPH oxidase activity in the following order: bergenan, comaruman, lemnan, apiuman, and potamogetonan.  Cryoprotective action of lemnan and comaruman was proposed to be related to their unique chemical structures.