Heavy Metal Determination in Seaweed (Caulerpa lentillifera) Sold in Selected Sampaloc Market, Manila: Basis for Bioremediation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65166/7w9c4704Keywords:
Caulerpa lentillifera, heavy metals, food safety, seaweed, environmental health, bioremediationAbstract
Heavy-metal contamination in edible marine resources represents an environmental and public-health concern because persistent metals may accumulate in aquatic organisms and subsequently enter the human food chain. This study determined the concentrations of arsenic (As), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) in Caulerpa lentillifera, locally known as sea grapes or lato, sold in selected markets in Sampaloc, Manila. Seaweed samples with declared geographic origins from Batangas, Cebu, and Marinduque were prepared through washing, lyophilization, grinding, acid digestion, filtration, and dilution. Heavy-metal concentrations were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry and Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometry. Results showed that arsenic concentrations were below 0.3 ppm, lead below 0.3 ppm, cadmium below 0.1 ppm, and mercury below 0.03 ppm in all analyzed samples. These values were below the international maximum limits used as comparative benchmarks in the study. The findings indicate that the tested seaweed samples presented low detectable levels of the four heavy metals examined and suggest minimal contamination-related risk within the analytical limits of the methods employed. The results also provide baseline information for continued monitoring of edible seaweeds and for further investigation of the capacity of C. lentillifera to accumulate metals and potentially contribute to bioremediation applications. Continued surveillance and the development of locally applicable standards for heavy metals in edible seaweeds are recommended.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Hazel Ylagan, RMT, MAT, Gene Fae L. Sampaga, Kyla S. Salonga, Ma. Veronica C. Repol, Eira Isabelle M. Raymundo, Almyra Ziana J. Loong, Kian S. Frisco, Raphael Felix M. Flores, Monica C. Fernandez, Kevin Michael G. Domingo, Clarisse Anne D. Amponin, Rica Marie E. Sison (Author)
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