Novel hybrid nanostructured materials of magnetite nanoparticles and pectin

► In the present investigation we have developed a facile route to synthesize a novel, low cost calcium pectinate nanostructure functionalized with SPIONs (magnetite nanoparticles). ► Though there are sufficient scientific illustrations on polymer as well as biopolymers coated on SPIONs for various biomedical applications, the one presented here, is novel of its kind as it is considered to offer a new dimension to the magnetic responsive properties of calcium pectinate nanomaterials towards biomedical applications, especially as a potential carrier for magnetically targeted drug delivery to colon specific sites. ► The synthesis of these nanostructured materials has probably evoked a new insight about the interaction between pectin and magnetite nanoparticles at their interface, which led to only 10% reduction of their saturation magnetization as compared to as synthesized magnetite nanoparticles without any polymer interaction. ► We have proposed a mechanism towards the formation of such novel nanostructured materials using several characterization techniques. ► It is therefore expected that our present investigation would be appreciated by the readers of JMMM.