Analysis on content and edible risk assessment of heavy metals in Enteromorpha prolifra from Jiangsu coastal

On the basis of the investigation on the content of heavy metals in the Enteromorpha prolifera from Jiangsu coastal, the food safety and health risks of Enteromorpha prolifera were evaluated in the present study. Five kinds of heavy metals in Enteromorpha prolifera from Jiangsu coastal were analyzed using flame-free graphite furnace and atomic fluorescence spectrometry, and potential sources of heavy metals in Enteromorpha prolifera were also analyzed. The results showed that the contents of Cu, Cd, Cr, Pb and As in Enteromorpha prolifera were in the range of(7.01~10.85)×10^-6, (0.61~1.77)×10^-6, (3.97~9.39)×10^-6, (1.34~4.74)×10^-6 and(0.78~1.66)×10^-6(dry weight), respectively. Compared with the relevant results reported, , the content of Cu in Enteromorpha prolifera was low and Cd was high. Pb content exceeded the standard by 22%~322%. For the As, there is only one site beyond the standard by 10.6%. The results of the correlation analysis show that heavy metals in Enteromorpha prolifera might be closely related to those in sediments. The results of safety and edible risk assessment of Enteromorpha prolifera showed that the health risks caused by heavy metals were all lower than 5.0×10^-5/a, the edible safety of the Enteromorpha prolifera from offshore is high. Therefore, the pollution of heavy metals in Jiangsu coastal area will not bring health risks to the consumers.