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Nitrate, Nitrite, and Iodine Concentrations in Commercial Edible Algae: An Observational Study

Authors :
Patricia Casas-Agustench
Jade M. Hayter
Odelia S. B. Ng
Lauren V. Hallewell
Nathaniel J. Clark
Raul Bescos
Source :
Foods, Vol 13, Iss 16, p 2615 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2024.

Abstract

Edible algae are a natural source of nutrients, including iodine, and can also contain nitrogen in the form of nitrate (NO3−) and nitrite (NO2−) as they can fix nitrogen from seawater. This study aimed to analyse the NO3−, NO2−, and iodine concentrations in eighteen macroalgae and five microalgae species commercially available in the United Kingdom. NO3− and NO2− concentrations were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and iodine was determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). NO3− and iodine concentrations in macroalgae (NO3−: 4050.13 ± 1925.01 mg/kg; iodine: 1925.01 ± 1455.80 mg/kg) were significantly higher than in microalgae species (NO3−: 55.73 ± 93.69 mg/kg; iodine: 17.61 ± 34.87 mg/kg; p < 0.001 for both). In the macroalgae group, nori had the highest NO3− (17,191.33 ± 980.89 mg/kg) and NO2− (3.64 ± 2.38 mg/kg) content, as well as the highest iodine content. Among microalgae, Dunaliella salina had the highest concentration of NO3− (223.00 ± 21.93 mg/kg) and iodine (79.97 ± 0.76 mg/kg), while Spirulina had the highest concentration of NO2− (7.02 ± 0.13 mg/kg). These results indicate that commercially available edible algae, particularly macroalgae species, could be a relevant dietary source of NO3− and iodine.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
23048158
Volume :
13
Issue :
16
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Foods
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.fba7b421de8f4213994bdc0ad9d26fd5
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13162615