Speciation analysis and characterisation of arsenic in lavers collected from coastal waters of Fujian, south-eastern China

• Published in: Food chemistry Vol. 132; no. 3; pp. 1480 - 1485
• Main Authors: Yang, GuiDi, Zheng, JinPing, Chen, Lei, Lin, Qin, Zhao, YunQiang, Wu, YongNing, Fu, FengFu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: acids; Arsenic; Arsenic-containing ribosides; Biological and medical sciences; coastal water; Food industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Laver; Porphyra; Porphyra haitanensis; Seaweed; speciation; Speciation analysis; Asia; China; Seaweed; Speciation analysis; Laver; Arsenic; Arsenic-containing ribosides; Water; Algae; Analysis; South; Speciation
• ISSN: 0308-8146; 1873-7072
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2011.12.006

► The characterisation of arsenic in laver (Porphyra haitanensis) was reported for the first time. ► Five different arsenical species were detected in laver. ► DMAsSugarMethoxy was found to be the predominant species of arsenic in laver. ► The speciation of arsenic in seaweeds is dependent on the seaweed’s species. Laver samples (Porphyra haitanensis) were collected from the coastal waters of Fujian province, south-eastern China and then the speciation characteristics of arsenic in the samples were studied in detail. These laver samples contained five arsenical species, namely arsenobetaine, monomethylarsonic acid, As(V) and two kinds of arsenic-containing ribosides (arsenosugars), with a relatively high concentration of total arsenic in the range of 28.85–63.03μgAs/g dried weight. DMAsSugarMethoxy was found to be the predominant species of arsenic in lavers, accounting for 90–98% of total arsenic. As3+ was not detected and the level of inorganic arsenic was much lower than the national tolerable average residue level (TARL), suggesting that the lavers are safe for consumption.