Metals in edible seaweed.
The concentration levels of 20 metals were analyzed by ICP-OES in edible seaweed (Chondrus, Eisenia, Gelidium, Himanthalia, Laminaria, Palmaria, Porphyra, Undaria), from two origins (Asia vs EU) according to their cultivation practices (conventional vs organic). Red seaweed showed higher concentrations of trace and toxic elements. Porphyra may be used as a potential bioindicator for metals. Significant differences were found between the Asian vs European mean contents. The mean Cd level from the conventional cultivation (0.28 mg/kg) was two points higher than the organic cultivation (0.13 mg/kg). A daily consumption of seaweed (4 g/day) contributes to the dietary intake of metals, mainly Mg and Cr. The average intakes of Al, Cd and Pb were 0.064, 0.001 and 0.0003 mg/day, respectively. Based on obtained results, this study suggests that exposure to the toxic metals analyzed (Al, Cd and Pb) through seaweed consumption does not raise serious health concerns, but other toxic metals should be monitored.
Area de Toxicología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38071 La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. Electronic address: crubio@ull.edu.es.
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Rubio
Area de Toxicología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38071 La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
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Napoleone
Area de Toxicología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38071 La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
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Luis-González
Area de Toxicología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38071 La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
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Gutiérrez
Area de Toxicología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38071 La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain; Health Inspection and Laboratory Service, Servicio Canario de Salud, 38006 S/C de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
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González-Weller
Area de Toxicología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38071 La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
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Hardisson
Area de Toxicología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38071 La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
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Revert
D001208:Asia; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D000075322:Heavy Metal Poisoning; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis*; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis; D011041:Poisoning; D012624:Seaweed / Q000737:chemistry*; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis*
D008670:Metals; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014131:Trace Elements
Dietary intake; Food analysis; Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES); Metals; Seaweed