Phaeophyceae and rhodophyceae macroalgae from the Antarctic: A source of selenium

Abstract

This study reports the development of a voltammetric method applied for Se determination in Phaeophyceae (A. utricularis, C. jacquinotii, A. mirabilis, D. anceps, H. grandifolius) and Rhodophyceae (G. confluens, C. racovitzae, I. cordata) macroalgae from the Antarctic. Evaluation of the instrumental parameters showed the square wave cathodic stripping voltammetry provided greater sensitivity (deposition potential, -0.4 V; deposition time, 420 s; amplitude, 0.08 V; frequency, 60 Hz) than influence of differential pulse cathodic stripping voltammetry. The matrix effect and the influence of Cu concentration on the determinations were also assessed. After microwave-assisted digestion of the samples, the quantification limit was from 5.21 × 10−3 (G.confluens) to 9.85 × 10−3 mg kg-1 (I. cordata). The quantification of Se was carried out over the concentration range from 0.23 (C. jacquinotii) to 1.22 mg kg-1 (A. mirabilis). The method accuracy was by analysing the reference material of peach leaves (SRM 1547).