Loss of trace elements during dehydration of marine zoological material

Abstract

Possible losses of trace elements during dehydration of marine zoological material with a high water content were studied by means of radioactive tracers, using the oyster Crassostrea gigas as an example. It is probable that no losses occurred with chromium, iron, manganese, cobalt and zinc, but serious losses of selenium, cadmium and lead were observed, both during freeze drying and oven drying at low temperatures. The analytical applicability of dehydration techniques in general thus requires re-assessment.