EVALUATION OF SUB-CHRONIC TOXICITY AND HEAVY METAL TOXICITY OF KAPPAPHYCUS ALVAREZII IN- VIVO

Seaweed consumption is becoming more popular in Asian population especially the red seaweed, Kappaphycus alvarezii (K. alvarezii). However, there are few reported studies on the safety of K. alvarezii for consumption in Malaysia. This study focuses on the in vivo evaluation of toxicity and heavy metals of K. alvarezii performed in albino rats. K. alvarezii were sent for heavy metal analysis while methanolic extracts of K. alvarezii were administered orally to albino rats (2000mg/kg) daily for a total of 28 days according to Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines. The water level and feed consumption of both groups were observed daily. At day 28th the control and experimental group of rats were sacrificed, blood and organs such as kidney and liver were collected and sent for haematology and biochemical analysis. There was low to no detectable concentration of heavy metals such as arsenic, iron and zinc in K. alvarezii. In addition, the low levels of heavy metals in the K. alvarezii samples did not cause toxicity in rats due to the results obtained from haematological test and biochemical parameters showed no significant different between experimental and control groups of rats under statistical analysis. It is therefore concluded that K. alvarezii which was proven to be rich in nutrients and antioxidants is safe for human consumption