Inorganic Arsenic in Hijiki Seaweed

Introduction

Hijiki (scientific name Sargassum fusiforme) is a brownish green seaweed found along the coasts of Japan, Korea and China. Hijiki is dried after harvesting and looks like brownish-black twigs. It is commonly served boiled or braised with rice, added to soup or salad in Japanese and Korean cuisine.

Hijiki naturally absorbs and accumulates high levels of inorganic arsenic, a heavy metal, from seawater. Long-term intake of high levels of inorganic arsenic, may lead to health problems such as cancer and skin lesions.