Résumé
Limited information is available on mineral content of South African aquatic organisms. The aim of the study was to determine mineral content of South African marine species, either farmed or identified as candidate aquaculture species, and their by-products (muscle tissue, head, frame or viscera) to estimate their potential contribution to Recommended Nutrient Intakes and identify nutritional and functional components for potential product development for human consumption and/or for animal feeds. The species analysed included fishes (Pomadasys commersonnii, sea-grown Oncorhynchus mykiss, Seriola lalandi, Argyrosomus japonicus), molluscs (Haliotis midae) and seaweeds (Laminaria pallida, Ecklonia maxima, Macrocystis pyrifera, Ulva lacinulata, Gracilaria gracilis). Freeze-dried, composite samples (n=3 per specimen) were analysed by ICP AES and ICP-MS for mineral content. For trace elements (expressed as mean±SD mg/100g dw), iron (Fe) levels in fish fillets of A. japonicus (13.2±3.1) were 3-4-fold higher (p