Potential of Gracilaria tenuistipitata var. liui grown in Nuniachara, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh

Overview

Aziz et al. analyzed the nutritional composition and selected heavy metals in Gracilaria tenuistipitata var. liui grown at Nuniachara, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The paper directly reports lead (Pb), total arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), and cadmium (Cd) on a dry-weight basis for an edible red seaweed consumed locally and considered as a food supplement. All four reported heavy-metal concentrations were below the source’s cited tolerance levels.

Key numbers

Finding	Source-reported value
Matrix	Dried Gracilaria tenuistipitata var. liui
Lead	0.031 mg/kg dry wt.
Total arsenic	0.01 mg/kg dry wt.
Chromium	0.06 mg/kg dry wt.
Cadmium	0.02 mg/kg dry wt.
Source-cited tolerance comparators	Pb 0.1 to 0.3 mg/kg; As 0.12 mg/kg; Cr 0.1 mg/kg; Cd 0.2 mg/kg
Protein	25.55 +/- 0.18 percent dry wt.
Fiber	5.65 +/- 0.13 percent dry wt.
Lipid	0.16 +/- 0.03 percent dry wt.
Carbohydrate	45.93 +/- 1.53 percent dry wt.
Ash	10.61 +/- 0.69 percent dry wt.

Methods (brief)

The authors analyzed sundried Gracilaria grown under an adaptive seaweed cultivation project in coastal Bangladesh. Nutrients, minerals, amino acids, beta-carotene, vitamin C, and heavy metals were measured using standard laboratory methods. The paper reports heavy metals as Pb, As, Cr, and Cd in mg/kg dry weight, without arsenic speciation.

Implications

For seaweed and algae-based supplement pages, this is direct occurrence evidence for a Bangladesh-grown edible red seaweed. It contributes low reported Pb, total As, Cr, and Cd values, but those values are specific to one species and location.

For standards work, the dry-weight basis is explicit. The arsenic value is total arsenic and must not be substituted for inorganic arsenic.

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