Total mercury in muscle of benthic and pelagic fish from the South Adriatic Sea (Italy).

Total mercury concentrations were measured from the muscle of different kinds of fish: yellow gurnard (Trigla lucerna), red gurnard (Aspitrigla cuculus) red fish (Helicolenus dactylopterus), skate spp. (Raje spp.), goldline (Sarpa salpa), atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda), mackerel (Scomber scombrus), chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) caught in the South Adriatic Sea (south Italy) in the period June/August 1995. The highest total mercury levels were found in the benthic marine organisms and particularly in skates (Raje spp.) whose values ranged from 0.05 to 2.65 mg/kg wet wt with a mean value of 1.02 mg/kg wet wt. As for pelagic species, the highest mean levels were observed in Atlantic bonito (0.34 mg/kg wet wt), while in goldline the mean content of total mercury was the lowest (0.07 mg/kg wet wt). According to the rules in force (Official Journal of the European Communities 1994) 53% of skate and Atlantic bonito samples showed concentrations exceeding the peak value of 1 mg/kg, while for the other species, only 28% of samples exceeded the peak value fixed at 0.5 mg/kg. Correlations between total mercury concentration and specimen weight were evident in all examined species except for goldline and skates.     

Mercury and methylmercury bioaccessibility in swordfish

Concentrations of mercury (Hg) in swordfish (Xiphias gladius) present a food safety problem for many countries. This study analyses total Hg (t-Hg) concentrations in 27 samples of swordfish marketed in Spain in 2005 and in their bioaccessible fractions (soluble concentration in gastrointestinal medium), obtained after applying an in vitro digestion method. Methylmercury (MeHg) was also determined in the bioaccessible fractions. t-Hg concentrations in the samples were 0.41–2.11 mg kg^?1 wet weight, with a mean of 0.96 ± 0.47 mg kg^?1 wet weight. A total of 37% of the samples exceeded the Hg limit set by Spanish legislation (1.0 mg kg^?1 wet weight). Bioaccessible t-Hg concentrations were 0.17–1.72 mg kg^?1 wet weight (0.63 ± 0.4 mg kg^?1 wet weight), corresponding to 38–83% (64% ± 14%) of t-Hg. Bioaccessible MeHg concentrations, representing 94% of the bioaccessible t-Hg concentrations, were 0.16–1.53 mg kg^?1 wet weight, with a mean of 0.49 ± 0.32 mg kg^?1 wet weight. Children and adults who regularly consume this product in Spain have Hg and MeHg intakes that exceed the tolerable daily intake limits recommended by the Food and Agricultural Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) and US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). These results show the need for recommendations about swordfish consumption by population groups at risk in Spain.     

Survey of total mercury and methylmercury levels in edible fish from the Adriatic Sea

Total mercury and methylmercury concentrations were measured in the muscle tissue of different fish species from the Adriatic Sea to ascertain whether the concentrations exceeded the maximum level fixed by the European Commission. Large species-dependent variability was observed. The highest total mercury mean concentrations were in benthic (0.20-0.76 μg g^-1 wet wt) and demersal fish (0.22-0.73 μg g^-1 wet wt), while pelagic species showed the lowest levels (0.09-0.23 μg g^-1 wet wt). In 15% of frost fish, in 42% of skate and in 30% of angler fish samples total mercury concentrations exceeded the maximum level fixed by the European Commission (Hg = 1 μg g^-1 wet wt); for the species for which the maximum level was set to 0.5 μg g^-1 wet wt, concentrations exceeding the prescribed legal limit were observed in 6.4% of bokkem, in 6.6% of pandora, in 20% of megrin, in 12.5% of four-spotted megrim, in 16% of striped mullet, in 5.0% of forkbeard and in 5.3% of picarel samples. In all the different species, mercury was present almost completely in the methylated form, with mean percentages between 70 and 100%. Weekly intake was estimated and compared with the provisional tolerable weekly intake recommended by the FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. A high exposure was associated with the consumption of only skates, frost fish and angler fish, thought the consumption of the other species, such as, megrim, four spotted megrim, red fish striped mullet and forkbeard, resulted in a weekly intake slightly below the established provisional tolerable weekly intake.     

Organic and inorganic arsenic and lead in fish from the South Adriatic Sea, Italy.

Total, organic and inorganic arsenic and lead were measured from the muscle of different kinds of fish: skate (Raje spp.), hake (Merluccius merluccius) and blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou), caught in the South Adriatic Sea (South Italy) in the period June-August 1995. The highest levels of total arsenic were found in skate (Raje spp.) whose values ranged from 14.4 to 61.5 mg/kg ww, followed by blue whiting (M. poutassou) and hake (M. merluccius) that showed lower levels ranging from 8.5 to 21.5 mg/kg ww and from 5.9 to 16.1 mg/kg ww, respectively. In all the species examined most of this element was present as organic compounds while inorganic arsenic was only a very modest percentage (0.47-3.5%) of the total arsenic present. Lead in all species analysed was at small concentrations with mean values ranging from 0.12 to 0.15 mg/kg ww. According to the rules in force in Italy no samples showed concentrations of lead exceeding the peak value of 2 mg/kg.     

Mercury speciation in the muscle of two commercially important fish,hake (Merluccius merluccius) and striped mullet (Mullus barbatus) from the Mediterranean sea: estimated weekly intake

Total mercury and methylmercury concentrations were measured in the muscle tissue of two fish species from the Ionian and Adriatic seas. Higher total mercury and methylmercury concentrations were detected in striped mullet (Mullus barbatus), a benthic species (Ionian sea: Hg=0.40 μg g⁻¹ wet wt, MeHg=0.40 μg g⁻¹ wet wt; Adriatic sea: Hg=0.49 μg g⁻¹ wet wt, MeHg=0.44 μg g⁻¹ wet wt), than in hake (Merluccius merluccius), a pelagic species (Ionian sea: Hg=0.09 μg g⁻¹ wet wt, MeHg=0.09 μg g⁻¹ wet wt; Adriatic sea: Hg=0.18 μg g⁻¹ wet wt; MeHg=0.16 μg g⁻¹ wet wt). Total mercury residues were determined in all samples of both species from the Adriatic sea, while levels below the limit of detection were registered in 25% and 11%, respectively, of striped mullet and hake samples from the Ionian sea. In 18.8% and 22.2% of striped mullet samples from the Ionian and Adriatic seas, respectively, total mercury concentrations exceeded the maximum level fixed by the European Commission Decision (Hg=0.5 μg g⁻¹ wet wt). In the two different species, mercury was present almost completely in the methylated form with mean percentages between 60% and 100%. The estimated weekly intake for total mercury was below the established the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) for both species, though their consumption provides a methylmercury intake above the WHO safety limit.     

Total mercury levels in muscle tissue of swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) from the Mediterranean Sea (Italy).

This study was carried out to determine the current levels of total mercury in the muscle tissue of swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) caught in the Mediterranean Sea with the purpose of ascertaining whether the concentrations exceeded the maximum level fixed by the European Commission Decision. In addition, specimens of each species were divided into different ranges of weight to investigate the influence of size on mercury accumulation in order to provide data upon which commercial fishing strategies and marketing of swordfish and bluefin tuna may be based. Higher mean levels of total mercury were found in bluefin tuna (1.02 microg g(-1) wet wt) than in swordfish (0.49 microg g(-1) wet wt). In 4.3% of swordfish and in 44.3% of bluefin tuna analyzed, total mercury concentrations exceeded the maximum level fixed by the European Commission Decision (Hg = 1 microg g(-1) wet wt). Besides, for bluefin tuna the total mercury level variability observed, due to size, suggests that there should be greater regulatory control by the authorities.     

Content of toxic heavy metals (mercury, lead, and cadmium) in canned variegated scallops (Chlamys varia)

The concentrations of three toxic heavy metals, mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd), were determined in preserved variegated scallops (Chlamys varia, Bivalvia, Mollusca), which are often consumed in Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain). A total of 300 samples of seven commercial brands (A, B, D, H, J, L, and M) and one processed product ("scallop sauce") were analyzed. Samples were collected weekly in a major shopping area in Santa Cruz de Tenerife during a 12-month period. The concentrations of lead and mercury were far below the maximum limit permitted for human consumption by the European Communities Commission regulation (EC) 466/2001 (1 and 0.5 mg kg(-1) wet weight for Pb and Hg, respectively). Concentrations of cadmium were close to the maximum limit permitted by regulation (EC) 466/2001 (1 mg kg(-1) wet weight).     

Total and methylmercury residues in tuna-fish from the Mediterranean sea

This study was carried out to determine the current levels of total mercury and methylmercury in the muscle tissue of albacore (Thunnus alalunga) and bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) caught in the Mediterranean sea with the purpose of ascertaining whether the concentrations exceeded the maximum level fixed by the European Commission Decision. Total mercury concentrations ranged from 0.84 to 1.45 mg kg^-1 w.w. (av. 1.17 mg kg^-1 w.w.) and from 0.16 to 2.59 mg kg^-1 (av. 1.18 mg kg^-1 w.w.) in the muscle of albacore and bluefin tuna, respectively. In 78.6% of albacore and in 61.1% of bluefin tuna analysed, total mercury concentrations exceeded the maximum level fixed by the European Commission Decision (Hg = 1 µg g^-1 wet wt). In the two species, mercury was present almost completely in the methylated form, with percentages between 77 and 100% (av. 91.3%) in albacore and between 75 and 100% (av. 91%) in bluefin-tuna. In order to assess the potential health impact, the estimated weekly intake was calculated. The estimated weekly intake was far above the established Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake for both species.     

The lead, cadmium and mercury concentrations in muscle, liver and kidney from Finnish pigs and cattle during 1987-1988

The lead, cadmium and mercury concentrations in muscle, liver and kidney from Finnish pigs and cattle were determined. The average wet weight lead concentrations in pig muscle, liver and kidney were 15 micrograms/kg, 38 micrograms/kg and 40 micrograms/kg, respectively. The corresponding concentrations for cattle were 13 micrograms/kg, 57 micrograms/kg and 110 micrograms/kg. The average wet weight cadmium concentrations were 1.5 micrograms/kg, 28 micrograms/kg and 170 micrograms/kg (pigs) and 1.3 micrograms/kg, 61 micrograms/kg and 350 micrograms/kg (cattle). The corresponding mercury concentrations were 11 micrograms/kg, 12 micrograms/kg and 14 micrograms/kg (pigs) and 11 micrograms/kg, 12 micrograms/kg and 15 micrograms/kg (cattle). The average concentrations were at or above the detection limit of the metal in question. According to the results obtained by the National Veterinary Institute, the cadmium concentration in pigs and cattle has decreased during the period 1973-1988. The provisional tolerable daily intake of lead/person (60 kg), recommended by GEMS/Food, is 0.43 mg. According to the results for lead levels in these products in Finland, a daily intake of 29 kg pig muscle, 33 kg cattle muscle, 11 kg pig liver, 8 kg cattle liver, 11 kg pig kidney or 4 kg cattle kidney would be required to reach this norm. The corresponding provisional tolerable daily intake of cadmium/person (60 kg) is 0.06 mg and is equivalent to 40 kg pig muscle, 46 kg cattle muscle, 2 kg pig liver, 1 kg cattle liver, 0.4 kg pig kidney and 0.2 kg cattle kidney. The validity of the methods was tested four times a year using spiked check samples.     

Mercury in UK imported fish and shellfish and UK-farmed fish and their products

Total mercury concentrations were measured in fish and shellfish and their products imported into the UK and also in UK-produced farmed salmon and trout. Three hundred and thirty-six samples were collected using a two-stage sampling plan. The sample plan was weighted to reflect consumption, but with some bias towards fish that might accumulate higher levels of mercury, such as large predatory fish at the top of the food chain. The highest levels of total mercury were found in billfish (swordfish and marlin) and shark. Mercury concentrations in the five samples of fresh/frozen shark ranged from 1.006 to 2.200 mg kg -1 , all above the European Commission limit for the species, and concentrations in 20 samples of fresh/frozen billfish ranged from 0.153 to 2.706 mg kg -1 with 13 samples above the 1.0 mg kg -1 limit for the species. One sample of Antarctic ice fish was collected and had a mercury concentration of 0.664 mg kg -1 . The limit for this species was 0.5 mg kg -1 . One sample of fresh/frozen tuna out of the 20 collected had a mercury concentration above the limit of 1.0 mg kg -1 (1.5 mg kg -1 ), but all other fresh tuna samples were well within the regulatory limit (average 0.4 mg kg -1 ). Mercury concentrations in canned tuna were lower with concentrations on average half that measured in fresh/frozen tuna. Mercury concentrations in UK-farmed salmon and trout were relatively low. The maximum concentration found in 46 samples of fresh/frozen or smoked trout and salmon was 0.103 mg kg -1 .     

Human exposure to lead,cadmium and mercury through fish and seafood product consumption in Italy: a pilot evaluation

The presence of selected toxic heavy metals, such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg), was investigated in fish and seafood products, namely, blue mussel, carpet shell clam, European squid, veined squid, deep-water rose shrimp, red mullet, European seabass, gilthead seabream, Atlantic cod, European hake, Atlantic bluefin tuna and swordfish so as to assess their human exposure through diet. Metals were detected by quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (Q-ICP-MS) and hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (Hg-AAS). Measurements of Cd, Pb and Hg were performed by means of analytical methods validated in compliance with UNI CEI EN ISO/IEC 17025 [2005. General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. Milano (Italy): UNI Ente Nazionale Italiano di Unificazione]. The exposure assessment was undertaken matching the levels of Cd, Pb and total Hg with consumption data related to fish and seafood products selected for this purpose. In order to establish human health implications, the estimated weekly intakes (EWIs) for Cd, Pb and Hg were compared with the standard tolerable weekly intakes (TWI) for Cd and provisional tolerable weekly intakes (PTWIs) for Pb and Hg stipulated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). The found metal concentrations were largely below the maximum levels (MLs) established at the European Union level with the exception of Cd. This metal exceeded the MLs in squid, red mullet, European hake and Atlantic cod. Squid and blue mussel showed the highest Pb concentrations which accounted for 60% and 10% of the MLs, respectively. Highest Hg levels were found in predatory fish. The concentrations of Hg in swordfish, Atlantic bluefin tuna and red mullet accounted for 50%, 30% and 30% of the MLs, respectively. The EWIs for Cd, Pb and Hg related to the consumption of fish and seafood products by the median of the Italian total population accounted for 20%, 1.5% and 10% of the standard TWI for Cd as well as PTWIs for Pb and Hg, respectively. Furthermore, the EWIs estimated using consumption data concerning Italian consumers did not exceed the standard TWI and PTWIs, except for Cd at 95th percentile.     

Cadmium and mercury in cephalopod molluscs: Estimated weekly intake

Cadmium and mercury concentrations were measured in the flesh and hepatopancreas of different species of cephalopod molluscs (European squid, common octopus, curled octopus, horned octopus, pink cuttlefish, common cuttlefish) in order to establish whether the concentrations exceeded the maximum levels fixed by the European Commission. In hepatopancreas, the levels of cadmium were substantially higher than those in flesh (flesh 0.11-0.87 µg g^-1 wet weight, hepatopancreas 2.16-9.39 µg g^-1 wet weight), whilst the levels of mercury (flesh 0.13-0.55 µg g^-1 wet weight, hepatopancreas 0.23-0.79 µg g^-1) were approximately double those in flesh. Concentrations exceeding the maximum permitted limit of cadmium were found in 39.8 and 41.0% of common octopus and pink cuttlefish flesh, respectively. For mercury, concentrations above the limit were found only in octopuses, and precisely in 36.8, 50.0 and 20.0% of flesh samples of common, curled and horned octopus, respectively. In the hepatopancreas, concentrations of cadmium and mercury were above the proposed limits in all the samples examined. The estimated weekly intake of between 0.09 and 0.49 µg kg^-1 body weight for cadmium and between 0.05 and 0.24 µg kg^-1 body weight for mercury made only a small contribution to the provisional tolerable weekly intake (cadmium 1.3-7.0%, mercury 1.0-4.8%) set by the WHO.     

Natural occurrence of fumonisins B1 and B2 in corn in four provinces of China

Fumonisin B₁ (FB₁) and fumonisin B₂ (FB₂) are the most abundant fumonisins (FBs) occurring worldwide in maize, infected mainly by Fusarium verticillioides and F. proliferatum. A total of 307 corn kernel samples were collected from 45 districts of Gansu, Shandong, Ningxia and the Inner Mongolia provinces of the north and northwest China. The samples were analysed for FB₁ and FB₂ by high-performance liquid chromatography. The FBs (FB₁+ FB₂) incidence rate in samples from Gansu, Shandong, Ningxia and Inner Mongolia were 31.5%, 81.1%, 46.2% and 53.6%, respectively. Average FBs concentration was 703 μg/kg and the concentrations ranged from ≤11 to 13,110 μg kg^?1. Results were compared with the European Commission (EC) regulation for FB₁+ FB₂ in unprocessed maize for human consumption of 4 mg kg^?1. Contamination in 17 samples was higher than these levels. More than 80% of the samples from Liaocheng county, which is located in the Shandong province, were contaminated with FBs, with a mean total FB concentration of 2496 μg/kg. The result was significantly different from that of the Inner Mongolia (1399 μg/kg), Ningxia (373 μg/kg) and Gansu (175 μg/kg). Average exposure to FBs (0.12 μg/kg body weight/day) is within the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake of 2.0 mg/kg of body weight set by the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives.     

Chemical and biochemical composition of caviar from different sturgeon species and origins

The chemical and biochemical composition of caviar in 22 specimens of wild caught and of 2 farmed animals were measured. The results include grain size, protein and fat content, fatty acid composition of triglycerides and phospholipids, as well as the concentrations of relevant heavy metals and chlorinated hydrocarbons. The average protein content varied between 26.2 and 31.1% (wet weight) and fat from 10.9 to 19.4% (wet weight) with lowest values for caviar from farmed sturgeon. The triglycerides and phospholipids contained more n-3 fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid than n-6 fatty acids. The copper and zinc concentrations varied between 1.20 and 1.69 and 10.3 and 12.4 mg/kg (wet weight), respectively. These values reflect the elevated requirement of sturgeons for these components. Lead content varied between 0.06 and 0.15 mg/kg (wet weight). The cadmium concentrations were less than 5 micrograms/kg (wet weight) leading to the conclusion that no accumulation took place in the eggs. The concentrations of sigma DDT and sigma PCB were extremely high in caviar from Huso huso compared to the samples of the other species thus reflecting the different food habits leading to increased bio-accumulation.     

Mercury content in tinned molluscs (mussel, cockle, variegated scallop, and razor shell) normally consumed in Spain, 2005

Concentrations of mercury were determined for tinned molluscs (Mollusca, Bivalvia), i.e., mussels (Mytilus spp.), cockles (Cerastoderma edule), variegated scallops (Chlamys varia), and razor shells (Ensis spp.), consumed in Spain. A total of 220 samples were analyzed: 120 mussels, 40 cockles, 24 variegated scallops, and 36 razor shells. Samples were obtained weekly from markets in Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands) over a period of 12 months. All observed concentrations of mercury were below the maximum permitted for human consumption (0.5 mg/kg) as defined by European Community Decision 93/ 351/CE. Mercury concentrations were 27.28 +/- 12.43 microg/kg for mussels, 66.59 +/- 23.53 microg/kg for cockles, 33.68 +/- 15.76 microg/kg for variegated scallops, and 21.26 +/- 12.24 microg/kg for razor shells. To evaluate the importance of mercury as a food contaminant, the percentage ingested daily, the weight of mercury in the diet, and the calculated percentage of this metal in the diet contributed by reference species were estimated.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,polychlorinated biphenyls,chlorinated pesticides (DDTs), hexachlorocyclohexane,and hexachlorobenzene residues in smoked seafood

Smoked seafoods were screened for the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and other organochlorine compounds. Total PAH concentrations ranged from 46.5 ng/g (wet weight) for smoked swordfish to 124.0 ng/g (wet weight) for smoked herring. Among the carcinogenic PAHs, benzo(a)pyrene ranged from undetectable levels for several smoked fish to 0.7 ng/g for Scottish salmon, dibenzo(ah)anthracene was not present in any of the samples analyzed, and benzo(a)anthracene was found in all samples and at particularly high levels in salmon (23.2 ng/g). Benzo(a)pyrene concentrations were below the tolerance limit for all samples. PCB concentrations for the different samples ranged from 2 to 30 ng/g. Chlorinated pesticides (DDTs: p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDD, and o,p'-DDD) were detected at levels ranging from 0.2 ng/g (wet weight) in bluefin tuna to 17.5 ng/g (wet weight) in salmon. Hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (alphaHCH + betaHCH + gammaHCH) were present in higher amounts in eels (6.5 ng/g) than in the other smoked fish. For 40% of the samples, PCB concentrations exceeded the limit fixed by the European Union, while pesticide levels were below the maximum acceptable limit proposed by the Food and Agriculture Organization.     

Aluminium content of foods originating from aluminium-containing food additives

Aluminium (Al) levels of 90 food samples were investigated. Nineteen samples contained Al levels exceeding the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) for young children [body weight (bw): 16 kg] when consuming two servings/week. These samples were purchased multiple times at specific intervals and were evaluated for Al levels. Al was detected in 27 of the 90 samples at levels ranging from 0.01 (limit of quantitation) to 1.06 mg/g. Of these, the Al intake levels in two samples (cookie and scone mix, 1.3 and 2 mg/kg bw/week, respectively) exceeded the TWI as established by European Food Safety Authority, although the level in the scone mix was equivalent to the provisional TWI (PTWI) as established by Joint Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives. The Al levels markedly decreased in 14 of the 19 samples with initially high Al levels. These results indicated reductions in the Al levels to below the PTWI limits in all but two previously identified food samples.     

Occurrence of patulin and its dietary intake through pear,peach, and apricot juices in Italy

Pb, Cd and Hg in muscles of flathead mullet (Mugil cephalus), collected from Bocca di Magra, La Spezia (Ligurian Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Italy), were determined using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after microwave digestion for Pb and Cd and direct mercury analyser for Hg. Average Pb concentrations varied in the range 0.20–0.24 mg/kg, whereas Cd and Hg levels were negligible. None of the tested 200 samples exceeded the European regulatory limits as set by EC 1881/2006 and 420/2011. Metal concentrations in fish muscles were assessed for human consumption according to provisional tolerable weekly intake. The estimated values of Pb, Cd and Hg in M. cephalus’s edible parts in this study were below the values established by the Joint WHO/FAO Expert Committee on Food Additives. Therefore, it can be concluded that there is no health problem in human consumption.     

Natural occurrence of fumonisins b1 and b2 in corn from three main production provinces in China

A total of 255 corn samples collected in 2010 from three main corn production provinces of China (Liaoning, Shandong, and Henan) were analyzed for contamination with fumonisins (FB(1) and FB(2)). The incidence of contamination was significantly higher in samples from Liaoning than in samples from the other two provinces. Approximately 80.0% of the samples from Liaoning were contaminated with fumonisins, with a mean total fumonisin concentration of 3,990 ng/g. In contrast, the mean total fumonisin concentrations were 845 and 665 ng/g in samples from Shandong and Henan, respectively. The probable daily intake of fumonisins (0.3 μg/kg of body weight) is within the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake of 2.0 μg/kg of body weight set by the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives.     

Zinc and copper content in marine fish samples collected from the eastern Mediterranean Sea

Zinc and copper contents in the edible parts (muscle, fillet) of 49 commercially used fish species from the eastern Mediterranean Sea (Izmir Outer Bay, Homa Lagoon/Izmir and Mersin Bay) were determined by differential pulse stripping anodic voltammetry. In the sample preparation step, all frozen fish samples were lyophilized, milled in a ball mill and finally decomposed in an oxygen plasma ashing chamber. Among the three sampling locations, the highest zinc concentration was found in Mediterranean shad (Alosa fallax nilotica) from Izmir Outer Bay with 9.73 mg/kg wet weight and the highest copper content was found in derbio (Trachinotus ovatus) from Homa Lagoon with 1.14 mg/kg wet weight. The accuracy of the concentrations determined in this study was checked by the measurements of certified reference material no. 422 cod muscle from the Commission of the European Communities, Community Bureau of Reference. All zinc and copper concentrations observed in species of the eastern Mediterranean Sea showed that fish from this area are good sources of these essential elements.