Overview
SIST EN 18196:2026 specifies a standardized method for determining inorganic arsenic content in algae and algae products using anion-exchange High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS). Developed by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST), this standard aims to ensure accuracy, repeatability, and comparability of results for laboratories analyzing both raw and processed seaweeds, particularly those containing inorganic arsenic and arsenosugar 408 (sulfate-arsinoylriboside). The method covers species such as Ascophyllum nodosum and Saccharina latissima, with broader application potential for other algae types.
Key Topics
- Inorganic Arsenic Determination: The standard outlines a robust procedure for extracting and quantifying inorganic arsenic - a toxic element of concern in food safety - in seaweeds and algae-derived products.
- Sample Preparation: The protocol includes water bath extraction using high-purity chemicals to prevent contamination and maximize the extraction of arsenic species.
- HPLC-ICP-MS Analysis: Anion-exchange HPLC separates inorganic arsenic from other species like arsenosugar 408, with detection and quantification achieved via ICP-MS, providing high sensitivity and selectivity.
- Quality Assurance: The method emphasizes contamination control, calibration procedures, and the use of matrix-matched standards to ensure methodological integrity.
- Precision and Validity: Results from interlaboratory studies demonstrate strong repeatability and reproducibility for validated algae species, supporting its use as a reliable standard for regulatory and quality purposes.
Applications
- Food Safety and Quality Control: Laboratories and manufacturers use this standard to monitor and control inorganic arsenic levels in edible algae and algae-based products, fulfilling food safety regulations and labeling requirements.
- Environmental Monitoring: Research and monitoring initiatives may employ the method to assess inorganic arsenic accumulation in marine environments via algae sampling.
- Industry Compliance: Companies exporting seaweed products, especially to markets with strict food safety standards, rely on this standard for testing and certification.
- Research and Development: Scientists investigating arsenic speciation, bioaccumulation in aquatic systems, or improvement of processing methods benefit from standardized, comparable data.
Related Standards
- EN 17399: Vocabulary for algae and algae products.
- EN 16802: Determination of inorganic arsenic in foodstuffs from marine and plant origin (methodological similarities in extraction procedures).
- EN 17374: Analysis of inorganic arsenic in animal feed by HPLC-ICP-MS.
- EN 17605: Methods for sampling and sample treatment in algae and algae products.
- ISO 3696: Water for laboratory use - specification and testing methods for reagent quality.
Keywords: inorganic arsenic, algae, seaweed, HPLC-ICP-MS, arsenosugar 408, food safety, standardized analysis, SIST EN 18196, regulatory compliance, quality control
By adopting SIST EN 18196:2026, laboratories and producers in the algae sector can consistently measure inorganic arsenic content, supporting consumer safety and market access through internationally recognized best practices.