The increasing importance of micronutrients, such as chromium and zinc, in human health has driven interest in sustainable food sources like microalgae. These organisms are rich in bioactive compounds and trace elements, making them an attractive alternative to synthetic supplements. To evaluate the bioavailability and nutritional value of these elements, speciation analysis is essential, as it provides detailed insights into their chemical forms.

This study focused on the speciation of chromium and zinc in selected microalgae species using advanced chromatographic techniques. Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) was applied to fractionate components by molecular size, guiding the choice of extraction methods. Zinc species were further separated using hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS/MS and HPLC-ESI-MS/MS). Chromium species were analysed using anion-exchange chromatography (AEC) with the same detection systems.

The results demonstrate the potential of microalgae as a natural source of bioavailable micronutrients, with significant implications for functional food development and nutritional science. This work highlights the critical role of advanced speciation techniques in assessing the safety and efficacy of natural food sources.