Exudation of Minerals from Dried Seaweeds during Water Immersion Treatment

Abstract

The exudation rates of minerals from dry seaweeds (Konbu, Wakame and Hijiki) into immersion water were determined. Ninety percent of I in Konbu exuded into water during 20 min immersion, but the rate was only 30% for Wakame and Hijiki. There was no significant difference between Konbu, Wakame and Hijiki in exudation rate of minerals other than I : the rates were 60% for Na and K, 50% for P, 20% for Mg and less than 10% for Ca. These results suggest a possibility that the dietary iodine intake of Japanese people would not always be sufficient in their food life.