Distribution of 26 major and trace elements in edible seaweeds from the US market

In this study we present an elemental profile of 46 edible seaweed samples purchased in the United States. The seaweeds were grouped in 13 subgroups/species based on DNA barcoding analysis. The seaweeds were decomposed by microwave accelerated acid digestion followed by quantification of 26 elements by ICP-MS. Elements were grouped into macronutrient (Na, K, Ca, S, Mg and P), essential (Fe, Zn, Mn, V, Cu, Cr, Ni, Mo and Se), non-essential including toxic elements (Sr, Ba, Th, Sn and Sb As, Cd, Pb, U, W and Hg). The highest levels were found for Na and the lowest were for Hg. The elemental profiles depended on the taxonomy of the species and several elements (Fe, Ba, Cr, Pb, W and Th) also exhibited high intraspecies variations, likely due to geographic origin or food processing conditions. Higher Cd and Pb accumulation was observed in wakame, hijiki and nori, with Cd as high 4.05 mg/kg and Pb as high as 2.85 mg/kg in kombu. A study of correlation between the elements using Pearson's coefficients revealed multiple pairs of highly correlated elements in seaweed, as well as triple and quintuple correlations of certain elements.