Metals in New Zealand Undaria pinnatifida (Wakame)

Leo Hau, John Robertson, William Lindsey White

Institute of Applied Ecology New Zealand, School of Applied Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.

DOI: 10.4236/ojms.2014.43016                

Abstract

Undaria pinnatifida, Wakame is a popular edible seaweed in its native Asia and was first recorded in New Zealand in Wellington Harbor in 1987. It is classified as an unwanted species under the Biosecurity Act 1993, but there is growing interest in harvesting this seaweed for human consumption. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of metals in U. pinnatifida from several locations (Marlborough Sounds and Wellington harbor) and across seasons. In brief, the highest monthly mean concentration of metals found in New Zealand wild U. pinnatifida was Ca (16.97g·kg^-1), K (48.48 g·kg^-1), Mg (9.47 g·kg^-1), P (12.05 g·kg^-1), Cr (1.04 mg·kg^-1), Cu (3.78 mg·kg^-1), Mn (14.61 mg·kg^-1), Ni (2.78 mg·kg^-1), Se (0.83 mg·kg^-1), Zn (35.03 mg·kg^-1), As (46.71 mg·kg^-1), Cd (2.91 mg·kg^-1), Hg (0.042 mg·kg^-1) and Pb (0.31 mg·kg^-1). These results showed that New Zealand U. pinnatifida is a good source of the nutritionally important minerals calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. They also contained trace amounts of minerals such as chromium, copper, manganese, nickel, selenium and zinc. Contaminants such as arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead were found at very low, safe, levels.

Keywords

Metals, Undaria pinnatifida, Wakame

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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