Elemental composition and in vitro bioaccessibility assessment of holothuroids

The elemental composition and bioaccessibility of the wild holothuroids Holothuria arguinensis, Holothuria forskali, and Holothuria mammata was studied. Nutritional and toxicological aspects were evaluated. H. mammata was the richest in Mn, Ni, As, Cd, Pb, and Hg; H. forskali had the highest Cu and I contents, 4.12–4.93 mg/kg dw and 28.02–28.26 mg/kg dw, respectively; and Summer H. arguinensis had high Se content, 4.26 ± 0.08 mg/kg dw. Holothuroids as food may be a dietary Se and I source, with Pb as main hazard. In order to meet the Se Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA), 15–18 g of dried H. arguinensis and 18–33 g of dried H. mammata would have to be consumed everyday. For I, 10 g of dried H. arguinensis, 6–11 g of dried H. forskali, and 20–21 g of dried H. mammata everyday would be required to achieve the I Dietary Recommended Intake (DRI). For meeting Cu dietary requirements, consumption frequencies would have to exceed 330 g dw/day in the most favourable case (Winter H. forskali). Regarding other essential elements, quantities would be much higher. Regarding contaminants, a consumption above 20–21 g/day of dried H. mammata would constitute a Pb risk. Overall, holothuroids can substantially contribute to elemental nutritional requirements.

Highlights: Holothuria forskali was rich in I, ∼28 mg/kg dw, and Cu, up to 5 mg/kg dw; H. mammata was the richest sea cucumber in Mn, Ni, As, Cd, Pb, and Hg; Sea cucumbers may be a significant dietary source of Se and I, with Pb as main hazard; For I, 6–11 g of dried H. forskali everyday meet the I Dietary Recommended Intake.