Characterisation and chemometric evaluation of 17 elements in ten seaweed species from Greenland

PLoS One. 2021 Feb 8;16(2):e0243672. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243672. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Several Greenland seaweed species have potential as foods or food ingredients, both for local consumption and export. However, knowledge regarding their content of beneficial and deleterious elements on a species specific and geographical basis is lacking. This study investigated the content of 17 elements (As, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, I, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Se and Zn) in 77 samples of ten species (Agarum clathratum, Alaria esculenta, Ascophyllum nodosum, Fucus distichus, Fucus vesiculosus, Hedophyllum nigripes, Laminaria solidungula, Palmaria palmata, Saccharina latissima and Saccharina longicruris). Element profiles differed between species but showed similar patterns within the same family. For five species, different thallus parts were investigated separately, and showed different element profiles. A geographic origin comparison of Fucus species indicated regional differences. The seaweeds investigated were especially good sources of macrominerals (K > Na > Ca > Mg) and trace minerals, such as Fe. Iodine contents were high, especially in macroalgae of the family Laminariaceae. None of the samples exceeded the EU maximum levels for Cd, Hg or Pb, but some exceeded the stricter French regulations, especially for Cd and I. In conclusion, these ten species are promising food items.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cheminformatics
  • Elements
  • Food Safety
  • Greenland
  • Seaweed / chemistry*
  • Species Specificity
  • Trace Elements / analysis*

Substances

  • Elements
  • Trace Elements

Grants and funding

KJK was funded by Pinngortitaleriffik case number 80.24. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.