{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,16]],"date-time":"2026-05-16T03:23:07Z","timestamp":1778901787918,"version":"3.51.4"},"reference-count":42,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"15","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2021,7,28]],"date-time":"2021-07-28T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1627430400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Applied Sciences"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Seaweed is now considered a functional food with a high nutritional value in Western countries, and the consumption of different species of edible algae has grown exponentially in recent decades. However, anthropogenic pressure on the seas has increased the presence of pollutants such as toxic metals and nitrates that can accumulate in algae. It is necessary to know the levels of these contaminants and the dietary exposure from the consumption of edible algae. The content of toxic metals (Cd, Pb, Hg) and nitrates (NO3\u2212) was determined in 72 samples of edible algae marketed in the Canary Islands (Spain). Cd stands out in the Asian algae hijiki (1.196 mg\/kg) and nori (1.005 mg\/kg). Pb stands out in the Asian wakame seaweed (0.119 mg\/kg). The highest mean concentration of Hg was in European arame algae (0.055 mg\/kg). Some samples of the nori seaweed had NO3\u2212 concentrations of &gt;8000 mg\/kg. Considering the consumption recommended by the manufacturer of 4 g\/day, the maximum admissible intake values are not exceeded, and, consequently, this does not pose a risk to health. However, in the case of Cd, Pb, Hg, and NO3\u2212, legislation is necessary to regulate their content in edible algae.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/app11156934","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2021,7,28]],"date-time":"2021-07-28T11:12:52Z","timestamp":1627470772000},"page":"6934","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":18,"title":["Human Exposure to Toxic Metals (Cd, Pb, Hg) and Nitrates (NO3\u2212) from Seaweed Consumption"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"11","author":[{"given":"Ver\u00f3nica","family":"Mart\u00edn-Le\u00f3n","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Public Health Laboratory of Las Palmas (Laboratorio de Salud P\u00fablica), Canary Health Service (Servicio Canario de Salud), 35004 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-0878-7138","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Soraya","family":"Paz","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Toxicology, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 La Laguna, Spain"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Prospero A.","family":"D\u2019Eufemia","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Toxicology, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 La Laguna, Spain"},{"name":"Dipartimento di Scienze (DiSU), University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Juan J.","family":"Plasencia","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Toxicology, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 La Laguna, Spain"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Gianni","family":"Sagratini","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Scuola di Scienze del Farmaco e dei Prodotti della Salute, Universit\u00e0 di Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Gianmarco","family":"Marcantoni","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Toxicology, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 La Laguna, Spain"},{"name":"Scuola di Scienze del Farmaco e dei Prodotti della Salute, Universit\u00e0 di Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Mercedes","family":"Navarro-Romero","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Public Health Laboratory of Las Palmas (Laboratorio de Salud P\u00fablica), Canary Health Service (Servicio Canario de Salud), 35004 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-1581-0850","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"\u00c1ngel J.","family":"Guti\u00e9rrez","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Toxicology, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 La Laguna, Spain"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Arturo","family":"Hardisson","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Toxicology, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 La Laguna, Spain"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8774-5870","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Carmen","family":"Rubio-Armend\u00e1riz","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Toxicology, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 La Laguna, Spain"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2021,7,28]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bouga, M., and Combet, E. (2015). Emergence of seaweed and seaweed-containing foods in the UK: Focus on labeling, iodine content, toxicity and nutrition. Proc. Nutr. Soc., 74.","DOI":"10.1017\/S0029665115003511"},{"key":"ref_2","unstructured":"McHugh, D. (2003). A Guide to the Seaweed Industry, FAO, Fisheries and Aquaculture Department."},{"key":"ref_3","unstructured":"Organic Monitor (2014). The Organic Market of Sea Vegetables, Final Report, Organic Monitor."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"535","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1753-4887.2007.tb00278.x","article-title":"Nutritional Value of Edible Seaweeds","volume":"65","author":"MacArtain","year":"2008","journal-title":"Nutr. Rev."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"550","DOI":"10.3923\/ajps.2007.550.553","article-title":"Effect of Cultivars, Harvesting Time and Level of Nitrogen Fertilizer on Nitrate and Nitrite Content, Yield in Romaine Lettuce","volume":"6","author":"Boroujerdnia","year":"2007","journal-title":"Asian J. Plant Sci."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Karwowska, M., and Kononiuk, A. (2020). Nitrates\/Nitrites in Food\u2014Risk for Nitrosative Stress and Benefits. Antioxidants, 9.","DOI":"10.3390\/antiox9030241"},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"111812","DOI":"10.1016\/j.fct.2020.111812","article-title":"Evaluation of nitrate contents in regulated and non-regulated leafy vegetables of high consumption in the Canary Islands, Spain: Risk assessment","volume":"146","author":"Luzardo","year":"2020","journal-title":"Food Chem. Toxicol."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"394652","DOI":"10.1155\/2013\/394652","article-title":"Cadmium Toxicity and Treatment","volume":"2013","author":"Bernhoft","year":"2013","journal-title":"Sci. World J."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"763","DOI":"10.1007\/s10534-010-9365-6","article-title":"New perspectives in cadmium toxicity: An introduction","volume":"23","author":"Moulis","year":"2010","journal-title":"BioMetals"},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (2009). Cadmium in food-Scientific opinion of the Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain. EFSA J., 980, 1\u2013139.","DOI":"10.2903\/j.efsa.2009.980"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"123","DOI":"10.1016\/j.envres.2005.01.008","article-title":"Cadmium dietary intake in the Canary Islands, Spain","volume":"100","author":"Rubio","year":"2006","journal-title":"Environ. Res."},{"key":"ref_12","unstructured":"ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry) (2021, June 07). Case Studies in Environmental Medicine (CSEM). Lead Toxicity, Available online: https:\/\/www.atsdr.cdc.gov\/csem\/lead\/docs\/CSEM-Lead_toxicity_508.pdf."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kumar, A., Cabral-Pinto, M.M.S., Chaturvedi, A.K., Shabnam, A.A., Subrahmanyam, G., Mondal, R., Gupta, D.K., Malyan, S.K., Kumar, S.S., and Khan, S.A. (2020). Lead Toxicity: Health Hazards, Influence on Food Chain, and Sustainable Remediation Approaches. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 17.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph17072179"},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Nordberg, G., Fowler, B., Nordberg, M., and Friberg, L. (2007). Handbook on the Toxicology of Metals, Academic Press. [3rd ed.].","DOI":"10.1016\/B978-012369413-3\/50078-1"},{"key":"ref_15","first-page":"72","article-title":"El plomo como contaminante alimentario","volume":"21","author":"Rubio","year":"2004","journal-title":"Rev. Toxicol."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (2010). Scientific opinion on lead in food. EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the foodchain (CONTAM). EFSA J., 8, 1570.","DOI":"10.2903\/j.efsa.2010.1570"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Carocci, A., Rovito, N., Sinicropi, M.S., and Genchi, G. (2014). Mercury toxicity and neurodegenerative effects. Rev. Environ. Contam. Toxicol., 1\u201318.","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-319-03777-6_1"},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (2012). Scientific Opinion on the risk for public health related to the presence of mercury and methylmercury in food. EFSA J., 10, 2985.","DOI":"10.2903\/j.efsa.2012.2985"},{"key":"ref_19","unstructured":"IARC (International Agency of Research in Cancer) (2021, June 07). IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Humans. Some N-Nitroso Compounds. Available online: http:\/\/monographs.iarc.fr\/ENG\/Monographs\/vol1-42\/mono17.pdf."},{"key":"ref_20","unstructured":"IARC (International Agency of Research in Cancer) (2021, June 07). IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans Ingested Nitrate and Nitrite and Cyanobacterial Peptide Toxins. Available online: http:\/\/monographs.iarc.fr\/ENG\/Monographs\/vol94\/index.php."},{"key":"ref_21","unstructured":"AECOSAN (Agencia Espa\u00f1ola de Seguridad Alimentaria, Consumo y Nutrici\u00f3n) (2011). Informe del Comit\u00e9 Cient\u00edfico de la Agencia Espa\u00f1ola de Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutrici\u00f3n (AESAN) en relaci\u00f3n a la evaluaci\u00f3n del riesgo de la exposici\u00f3n de la poblaci\u00f3n espa\u00f1ola a cadmio por consumo de alimentos. Rev. Com. Cient\u00edfico, 14, 65\u201388."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4911","DOI":"10.3390\/nu7064911","article-title":"NO-Rich Diet for Lifestyle-Related Diseases","volume":"7","author":"Kobayashi","year":"2015","journal-title":"Nutrients"},{"key":"ref_23","unstructured":"JECFA (1998). Joint FAO\/WHO expert committee on food additives. Safety evaluation of certain food additives and contaminants. WHO Food Additives Series 40, World Health Organization."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (2017). Re-evaluation of potassium nitrite (E 249) and sodium nitrite (E 250) as food additives. EFSA J., 15, 4786.","DOI":"10.2903\/j.efsa.2017.4786"},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (2017). Re-evaluation of sodium nitrate (E 251) and potassium nitrate (E 252) as food additives. EFSA J., 15, 4787.","DOI":"10.2903\/j.efsa.2017.4787"},{"key":"#cr-split#-ref_26.1","unstructured":"EC (European Commision) (2006). COMMISSION REGULATION"},{"key":"#cr-split#-ref_26.2","unstructured":"(EC) No 1882\/2006 of 19 December 2006 laying down methods of sampling and analysis for the offi-cial control of the levels of nitrates in certain foodstuffs. Off. J. Euro. Union, L364\/25, Available online: https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/LexUriServ\/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2006:364:0025:0031:EN:PDF."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"879","DOI":"10.1016\/j.chemosphere.2018.11.165","article-title":"Toxic metals (Al, Cd, Pb and Hg) in the most consumed edible seaweeds in Europe","volume":"218","author":"Paz","year":"2019","journal-title":"Chemosphere"},{"key":"ref_28","unstructured":"EC (European Comission) (2007). Commission Regulation 333\/2007 (CE) of March 28, 2007, which establishes the sampling and analysis methods for the official control of the levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, inorganic tin, 3-MCPD and benzo (a) pyrene in food products. Off. J. Euro. Union, L88\/29, Available online: https:\/\/op.europa.eu\/en\/publication-detail\/-\/publication\/dbc694be-f15d-4e5d-bd09-cdf37f5100c0\/language-en."},{"key":"ref_29","unstructured":"EC (European Comission) (2011). Commission Regulation 836\/2011 of August 19, 2011 amending Commission Regulation 333\/2007 (EC) of March 28, 2007, which used the sampling and analysis methods for official control levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, inorganic tin, 3-MCPD and benzo (a) pyrene in food products. Off. J. Euro. Union, L215\/9, Available online: https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/LexUriServ\/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2011:215:0009:0016:EN:PDF."},{"key":"ref_30","first-page":"616","article-title":"Trace Element Levels in Vegetable Sausages and Burgers Determined by ICP-OES","volume":"194","author":"Paz","year":"2019","journal-title":"Biol. Trace Element Res."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Rubio-Armend\u00e1riz, C., Paz, S., Guti\u00e9rrez, \u00c1.J., Gomes Furtado, V., Gonz\u00e1lez-Weller, D., Revert, C., and Hardisson, A. (2021). Toxic Metals in Cereals in Cape Verde: Risk Assessment Evaluation. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 18.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph18073833"},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"382","DOI":"10.1007\/s12011-020-02151-6","article-title":"Dietary Intake of Essential Elements (Na, K, Mg, Ca, Mn, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mo, Co) from Tofu Consumption","volume":"199","author":"Paz","year":"2020","journal-title":"Biol. Trace Element Res."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1186\/1756-6614-4-14","article-title":"Assessment of Japanese iodine intake based on seaweed consumption in Japan: A literature-based analysis","volume":"4","author":"Zava","year":"2011","journal-title":"Thyroid. Res."},{"key":"ref_34","unstructured":"AECOSAN (Agencia Espa\u00f1ola de Consumo, Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutrici\u00f3n) (2006). Modelo de Dieta Espa\u00f1ola Para la Determinaci\u00f3n de la Exposici\u00f3n del Consumidor a Sustancias Qu\u00edmicas."},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Chen, Y., Liu, Y.-T., Wang, F.-H., Wen, D., Yang, H., and Zhao, X.-L. (2021). An Investigation of Toxic Metal Levels (Pb, Cd, Cr, As, Hg) in Dried Porphyra and Laminaria Collected from Coastal Cities, China. Biol. Trace Element Res., 1\u201311.","DOI":"10.1007\/s12011-020-02509-w"},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"111069","DOI":"10.1016\/j.marpolbul.2020.111069","article-title":"Health risk assessment and potentiality of green seaweeds on bioaccumulation of trace elements along the Palk Bay coast, Southeastern India","volume":"154","author":"Rajaram","year":"2020","journal-title":"Mar. Pollut. Bull."},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"61","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ecoenv.2013.12.003","article-title":"Benthic macroalgae as biological indicators of heavy metal pollution in the marine environments: A biomonitoring approach for pollution assessment","volume":"100","author":"Chakraborty","year":"2014","journal-title":"Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf."},{"key":"ref_38","unstructured":"US EPA (1998). Cadmium (CASRN 7440-43-9). Integrated Risk Information System. Document 0141, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency."},{"key":"ref_39","unstructured":"EC (European Comission) (2011). COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) No 1258\/2011 of 2 December 2011 amending Regulation (EC) No 1881\/2006 as regards maximum levels for nitrates in foodstuffs. Off. J. Euro. Union, L320\/1, 1\u20133."},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"782","DOI":"10.1007\/s12665-018-7973-6","article-title":"Health risk assessments due to nitrate levels in drinking water in villages of Azadshahr, northeastern Iran","volume":"77","author":"Qasemi","year":"2018","journal-title":"Environ. Earth Sci."},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"42","DOI":"10.1016\/j.fct.2016.12.010","article-title":"Risk assessment and monitoring programme of nitrates through vegetables in the Region of Valencia (Spain)","volume":"100","author":"Quijano","year":"2017","journal-title":"Food Chem. Toxicol."}],"container-title":["Applied Sciences"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-3417\/11\/15\/6934\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,11]],"date-time":"2025-10-11T06:36:06Z","timestamp":1760164566000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-3417\/11\/15\/6934"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2021,7,28]]},"references-count":42,"journal-issue":{"issue":"15","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2021,8]]}},"alternative-id":["app11156934"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/app11156934","relation":{},"ISSN":["2076-3417"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2076-3417","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2021,7,28]]}}}