Are sea cucumbers toxic for human consumption?

From the Guidelines

Sea cucumbers are generally not poisonous to eat and are considered a delicacy in many Asian cuisines, but they must be properly prepared to remove toxins called holothurins from their body walls. Most edible species are safe for human consumption when properly prepared. However, some sea cucumbers contain these toxins, which must be removed through proper cleaning and cooking processes. The preparation typically involves gutting, boiling multiple times, and sometimes fermenting to eliminate these compounds. People with shellfish allergies should exercise caution when consuming sea cucumbers as cross-reactivity may occur 1.

Key Considerations

• Sea cucumbers are nutritionally valuable, containing high protein, low fat, and various minerals and compounds with potential health benefits.
• While traditional medicine has used sea cucumbers for various ailments, these claims require more scientific validation.
• Always purchase sea cucumbers from reputable sources and ensure they are properly prepared before consumption to avoid any potential digestive issues.
• The provided evidence 1 does not directly address the toxicity of sea cucumbers, but it highlights the importance of proper preparation and sourcing of seafood to minimize health risks.

Preparation and Safety

• Proper preparation of sea cucumbers is crucial to remove toxins and ensure safe consumption.
• Gutting, boiling multiple times, and sometimes fermenting are common methods used to eliminate holothurins from sea cucumbers.
• It is essential to follow proper food safety guidelines when handling and preparing sea cucumbers to minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses.

From the Research

Toxicity of Sea Cucumbers

• Sea cucumbers contain a dangerous component called holothurin, which can cause painful irritant dermatitis, irritation of the mucous membranes, potential blindness, and even death if ingested 2.
• The toxicity of sea cucumbers is a concern for human consumption, and treatment options for exposure to holothurin include irrigation with seawater, soap, isopropyl alcohol, and vinegar 2.

Food Safety Risks

• The consumption of sea cucumbers is expanding globally, and the high demand has led to a decline in populations due to overexploitation 3.
• Sea cucumbers may contain heavy metals and metalloids, such as mercury, cadmium, lead, and arsenic, which can pose food safety risks 3.
• There is a lack of specific maximum limits for these contaminants in sea cucumbers, and systematic monitoring activities, guidelines, and regulations are needed to ensure safe consumption 3.

Microplastics and Contaminants

• Sea cucumbers may contain microplastics, which can pose a potential toxicity risk to humans 4.
• The average content of microplastics in sea cucumbers was found to be 1.44 MP individual-1, and consuming 3g of sea cucumbers could result in an exposure risk of an average of 0.51 MPs day-1 4.
• Other contaminants, such as dioxins, dl-PCB, PAH, and PFAS, may also be present in sea cucumbers, highlighting the need for further research and monitoring 3.

Nutritional and Pharmaceutical Value

• Sea cucumbers have been found to have numerous bioactive compounds, such as triterpene glycosides, glycosaminoglycans, and gangliosides, which can serve as potential sources of neutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic agents 5.
• Sea cucumbers are considered a food delicacy in many countries and are also valued for their pharmaceutical properties 2.