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Updated: Jan 6, 2026
08:21
Determination of Inorganic Arsenic in a Wide Range of Food Matrices using Hydride Generation - Atomic Absorption Spectrometry.
Published on: September 1, 2017
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Arsenic in edible macroalgae: an integrated approach.
Julieta R Camurati1, Vanesa N Salomone1,2
1Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental (IIIA), CONICET-UNSAM, Campus Miguelete, BA, Argentina.
Summary
Edible seaweed accumulates arsenic (As), a toxic metalloid. This review covers As speciation, toxicity, and human health impacts, highlighting the need for better analytical methods and updated regulations.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Food Science
- Toxicology
Background:
- Marine macroalgae bioaccumulate arsenic (As) due to its chemical similarity to phosphate.
- Increased consumption of macroalgae in diets raises concerns about potential arsenic exposure and health risks.
- Arsenic accumulation in seaweed is a growing area of research with significant public health implications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize existing literature up to 2019 on arsenic in seaweed.
- To discuss arsenic speciation, toxicity, and human health effects related to seaweed consumption.
- To highlight analytical challenges and regulatory aspects of arsenic in edible macroalgae.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of articles published up to 2019.
- Analysis of key topics including arsenic speciation, toxicity, and human health impacts.
- Evaluation of extraction and analytical techniques for arsenic determination in seaweed.
Main Results:
- Significant research interest in arsenic in seaweed, covering biological, analytical, and toxicological aspects.
- Identified need for certified reference materials (CRMs) to validate analytical methods for arsenic speciation.
- Highlighted knowledge gaps in arsenic transformation during digestion and cooking.
Conclusions:
- Further research is needed on arsenic transformation during food processing and digestion.
- Improved analytical methodologies and toxicological studies are essential.
- Findings may inform revisions to current legislation on arsenic levels in edible seaweed.
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