Heavy metals and potential risks in edible seaweed on the market in Italy

Filippini, María; Baldisserotto, Anna; Menotta, Simonetta; Fedrizzi, Giorgio; Rubini, Silva; Gigliotti, Domenico; Valpiani, Giorgia; Buzzi, Raissa; Manfredini, Stefano; Vertuani, Silvia

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127983

Cited by 69 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 28 publications

(31 reference statements)

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“…Cr and As were particularly high in Greece and China, with mean concentrations of 9.38 and 18.33 mg kg −1 respectively 1 , 24 , 56 . Conversely, much lower concentrations were reported from a market survey in Italy 50 . The mean concentrations of Cr, As, and Pb were 0.14, 1.42, and 0.13 mg kg −1 , respectively.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 71%

“…Seaweeds naturally contain high K content, at of the order of 2% of their dry weight 48 , 49 , depending on the species and environmental conditions. Co concentrations have been found to be the lowest in value, at a mean of 0.26 mg kg −1 (ranging from 0.18 to 0.33 mg kg −1 across the species); lower Co content has been reported in commercial seaweed of Asian origin (mean of 0.10 mg kg −1 ) and European origin (mean of 0.03 mg kg −1 ) 50 , constituting a naturally occurring micronutrient in seaweed 51 . Previous studies in aqueous solutions have demonstrated the leaching of elements such as Ca and Mg from grasses/algae, directly measured via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) 52 .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 96%

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Macroalgae in biomonitoring of metal pollution in the Bay of Bengal coastal waters of Cox’s Bazar and surrounding areas

Rakib

Jolly

Dioses-Salinas

et al. 2021

Sci Rep

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Although coastal water marine algae have been popularly used by others as indicators of heavy metal pollution, data within the Bay of Bengal for the estuarine Cox’s Bazar region and Saint Martin’s Island has remained scarce. Using marine algae, the study herein forms an effort in biomonitoring of metal contamination in the aforementioned Bangladesh areas. A total of 10 seaweed species were collected, including edible varieties, analyzed for metal levels through the use of the technique of EDXRF. From greatest to least, measured mean metal concentrations in descending order have been found to be K > Fe > Zr > Br > Sr > Zn > Mn > Rb > Cu > As > Pb > Cr > Co. Potential toxic heavy metals such as Pb, As, and Cr appear at lower concentration values compared to that found for essential mineral elements. However, the presence of Pb in Sargassum oligocystum species has been observed to exceed the maximum international guidance level. Given that some of the algae species are cultivated for human consumption, the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic indices were calculated, shown to be slightly lower than the maxima recommended by the international organizations. Overall, the present results are consistent with literature data suggesting that heavy metal macroalgae biomonitoring may be species-specific. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first comprehensive macroalgae biomonitoring study of metal contamination from the coastal waters of Cox’s Bazar and beyond.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 71%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 96%

Macroalgae in biomonitoring of metal pollution in the Bay of Bengal coastal waters of Cox’s Bazar and surrounding areas

Rakib

Jolly

Dioses-Salinas

et al. 2021

Sci Rep

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“…Negligible risk for human health resulted by intake of these seaweeds. Filippini et al [55] analyzed 72 samples bought in Italy, originating from various countries with no information on the characteristics of the geographical area of collection. Rhodophyta presented high levels of investigated elements.…”

Section: Uchida Et Al 2016 Japanmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seaweeds as a “Palatable” Challenge between Innovation and Sustainability: A Systematic Review of Food Safety

et al. 2021

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Moderate or severe food insecurity affect 2 billion people worldwide. The four pillars of food security (availability, access, use and stability) are in danger due to the impact of climatic and anthropogenic factors which impact on the food system. Novel foods, like seaweeds, have the potential to increase food yields so that to contribute in preventing or avoiding future global food shortages. The purpose of this systematic review was to assess microbiological, chemical, physical, and allergenic risks associated with seaweed consumption. Four research strings have been used to search for these risks. Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were applied. Finally, 39 articles met the selected criteria. No significant hazards for microbiological, allergenic, and physical risks were detected. Regarding chemical risk, algae can accumulate various heavy metals, especially when harvested in polluted sites. Cultivating seaweeds in a controlled environment allows to avoid this risk. Periodic checks will be necessary on the finished products to monitor heavy metals levels. Since the consumption of algae seems to be on the rise everywhere, it seems to be urgent that food control authorities establish the safety levels to which eating algae does not represent any risk for human health.

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“…Edible seaweed provides proteins, amino acids, minerals, and vitamins in addition to possessing therapeutic potential in disease prevention [ 7 , 8 ]. The consumption of seaweed is widespread in Eastern countries, although its consumption is not widespread in Western countries [ 7 , 9 , 10 , 11 ], there is a trend towards its increase in the Western diet [ 12 , 13 ]. In Spain, there is no tradition of seaweed consumption; therefore, it is considered a new food product [ 9 , 14 ] that is increasingly present in supermarkets [ 11 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Valuation of a Company Producing and Trading Seaweed for Human Consumption: Classical Methods vs. Real Options

Pérez-Vas

Guillén

Enríquez-Díaz

2021

IJERPH

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Aquaculture is an increasingly relevant sector in the exploitation of natural resources; therefore, it is appropriate to propose various models that include the fundamental variables for its economic-financial valuation from a business point of view. The objective of this paper is to analyze different models for the valuation of investment projects in a company in the aquaculture sector in order to conclude whether there is a model that represents a better valuation. Therefore, in this study, four valuation models have been applied, three classical models (net present value, internal rate of return, and payback) and a more recent model, real options (RO) for a company producing and marketing seaweed in Galicia (region located in the northwest of Spain). The results obtained, RO (€5,527,144.04) and net present value (€5,479,659.19), conclude that the RO model estimates a higher added value by taking into account in its calculations the flexibility given by the expansion option. Future lines of research include the application of valuation models that have been applied to companies belonging to the same sector in order to compare whether the results found are similar.

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Heavy metals and potential risks in edible seaweed on the market in Italy

Cited by 69 publications

References 28 publications

Macroalgae in biomonitoring of metal pollution in the Bay of Bengal coastal waters of Cox’s Bazar and surrounding areas

Macroalgae in biomonitoring of metal pollution in the Bay of Bengal coastal waters of Cox’s Bazar and surrounding areas

Seaweeds as a “Palatable” Challenge between Innovation and Sustainability: A Systematic Review of Food Safety

Valuation of a Company Producing and Trading Seaweed for Human Consumption: Classical Methods vs. Real Options

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