Essential elements (K, Ca, P, S, Cl, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, Br, and I) and nonessential or toxic elements (Al, Ti, Si, Rb, Sr, As, Cd, Sn, and Pb) were determined by energy-dispersive polarized x-ray fluorescence spectrometry in 14 seaweeds purchased in local specialty stores in Italy and consumed by humans. The differences in elements between the algae species reached up to 2-4 orders of magnitude. Lithothamnium calcareum showed the highest levels of Ca, Al, Si, Fe, and Ti. Palmaria palmata showed the highest concentrations of K, Rb, and Cl. The highest content of S was in Chondrus crispus. Laminaria digitata contained the highest concentrations of total As, Cd, Sn, Br, and I. The highest concentration of Zn was in Chlorella pyrenoidosa. Ulva lactuca displayed the highest levels of Cu, Ni, Mn, and Pb. Iodine levels ranged from 3.4 in Chlorella pyrenoidosa to 7316 mg/kg(dry) in Laminaria digitata. The nutrimental importance of essential elements was assessed using nutritional requirements. The results showed that the consumption of algae might serve as an important source of the essential elements. Health risk due to the toxic elements present in seaweed was estimated using risk estimators. Total As, Cd, and Pb concentrations ranged from <1 to 67.6, to 7.2 and to 6.7 mg/kg(dry) respectively; therefore, their contribution to total elemental intake does not appear to pose any threat to the consumers, but the concentrations of these elements should be controlled to protect the consumer against potential adverse health risks.

No abstract

Essential and toxic elements were determined by Energy Dispersive Polarised X-Rays Fluorescence Spectrometry (EDPXRF) in the meat of 145 wild and bred animals to provide the baseline data regarding meat of wild and bred animals consumed in central Italy. As far as K, Fe, Ni, Zn and Cu are concerned, no significant differences resulted between young and adult classes and between males and females for farmed and wild animals; no differences were found between the hunted and not hunted animals classes. In all samples analyzed, Mn, Cr and Mo resulted below the detection limit. As far as the non essential or toxic elements are concerned, As, Cd, V and Hg concentrations in muscle from wild and bred animals were very low and they were always below the detection limits. Among the wild animals killed with lead bullets, elevated lead concentrations in tissues were found: this fact may result in elevated lead doses from meat ingested by humans

No abstract

Natural radionuclides and Cs were determined by alpha (U, U, Th,Po,Th, and Th) and gamma spectrometry (Cs, K, Ra, Pb, and Ra via Ac) in 14 dried seaweeds commercialized for human nutrition in Italy. The study was carried out in order to provide information on the concentrations of natural and artificial radionuclides. Cesium-137 (Cs) concentrations in all analyzed samples were always <2.0 Bq kg (dry weight), while the naturally occurring radionuclide concentrations were detectable in all the samples and significantly different in the analyzed seaweeds. Potassium-40 (K) showed a mean activity of 894 Bq kg with a range of 14.1-3,256 Bq kg. The mean of activity for Po was 5.1 Bq kg with a range of 1.5-13.6 Bq kg. The mean of activity for Pb was 8.9 Bq kg with a range of 2.9-25.7 Bq kg. The mean of U and Ra activity concentration was 4.7 and 8.4 Bq kg with a range of 0.1-27.7 and 3.2-24.6 Bq kg, respectively. The mean activity concentrations for Th, Th, and Ra were 0.69, 3.0, and 6.6 Bq kg with ranges of 0.05-3.39, 0.24-15.7, and 0.5-35.6 Bq kg, respectively. Radionuclide activity concentrations were within ranges reported in the scientific literature. The committed effective dose due to all the radionuclides analyzed, from ingestion of 1 kg y of seaweeds, accounts for 0.66% of the natural radiation exposure in Italy.