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The effect of drying process on undervalued brown and red seaweed species: elemental composition

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Abstract

The influence of drying (sun-drying and shade-drying) on the elemental composition of two brown seaweeds (Treptacantha abies-marina, Cystoseira humilis) and two red seaweed species (Asparagopsis armata and Asparagopsis taxiformis) harvested in the Faial Island (Azores Islands, Portugal) was assessed. The contents of sixteen nutritionally and toxicologically relevant elements were determined: sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), sulphur (S), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), bromine (Br), cadmium (Cd), iodine (I), and lead (Pb). While the most abundant macroelement in T. abies-marina and C. humilis was K (64.1–71.0 g kg−1 dw), for both Asparagopsis species, this position was held by Na (85.6–115.3 g kg−1 dw). Iodine content did not surpass 0.1 g kg−1 dw in the brown seaweeds and varied between 4.6 and 5.7 g kg−1 dw in Asparagopsis species. The I Dietary Reference Intake may be ensured by less than 1 g of dried A. armata or A. taxiformis per week. For T. abies-marina and C. humilis, 10.5 g or more of dried seaweed per week may be required. However, excessive I can be a health risk: 1–2 g of dried A. armata or A. taxiformis per week may result in I-related health risks. Moreover, there are As-related health risks for the consumption of C. humilis and, especially, T. abies-marina. The type of drying did not show a clear effect upon the elemental composition.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to seaExpert for the collection of the seaweed samples and to Artur Oliveira for the identification and harvesting of the seaweed samples as well as supplied photos.

Funding

This work was supported by the following grants: Ref. SFRH/BPD/102689/2014 (“Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia”, FCT) for Carlos Cardoso and DIVERSIAQUA (MAR2020, Ref.: 16–02-01-FEAM-66) for Cláudia Afonso. The experimental work was funded by the projects AQUAMAX (Ref.: 16–02-01-FMP-0047) and I9 + PROALGA (Ref.: 16–01-03-FMP-0011).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Aquaculture and Upgrading (DivAV), Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA, IP), Rua Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho, 6, 1495-006, Lisbon, Portugal

    C. Afonso, D. R. Julião, N. M. Bandarra & Carlos Cardoso

  2. CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Rua dos Bragas 289, 4050-123, Porto, Portugal

    C. Afonso, N. M. Bandarra & Carlos Cardoso

  3. Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the Nova University of Lisbon, Largo da Torre, 2825-149, Caparica, Portugal

    D. R. Julião

  4. LAQV/REQUIMTE, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Porto, Rua Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal

    E. Pinto, A. Almeida & I. M. P. L. V. O. Ferreira

  5. Department of Environmental Health, School of Health, P.Porto (ESS|P.Porto), Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 400, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal

    E. Pinto

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  1. C. Afonso
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Afonso, C., Julião, D.R., Pinto, E. et al. The effect of drying process on undervalued brown and red seaweed species: elemental composition. J Appl Phycol 34, 1749–1761 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-022-02741-y

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