Determination of toxic arsenic species and arsenosugars in edible seaweed by HPLC-(UV)-HG-AFS

Abstract

Arsenic is a toxic element widely distributed in the environment, and the estimation of its toxicity requires knowledge of the individual arsenic species present in biological materials. Marine algae contribute substantial amounts of arsenic to the human diet in Asian countries, and nowadays their popularity in western countries is increasing due to their high mineral content and their recognized therapeutic properties1. It is known that marine organisms can accumulate considerable arsenic concentrations, up to ug g"1 level, which may be harmful to human beings. In seaweed, the main arsenic species are usually arsenoribosides (arsenosugars), which are considered to be non-toxic to living organisms and can be present at trace levéis, so analysis techniques of high sensitivity are needed to carry out their determination.