engleski

Essential and toxic elements in three fish species typical for the dietary pattern in coastal Croatia

The study evaluated levels of essential (Fe, Cu, Zn, Se) and toxic (Pb, Cd, Hg) trace elements in the edible tissue of three commonly consumed fish species in coastal Croatia: the oily fish European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus ; n=90) and sardine (Sardina pilchardus ; n=59), and lean demersal fish red mullet (Mullus barbatus ; n=64). Samples were collected in the coastal and open waters of the eastern Adriatic Sea at 11-13 locations for each of the species. Composite samples of muscles were freeze-dried, homogenised and digested before analysis. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (Agilent 7500cx ICP-MS) was used for multielement analysis. Oily fish species had 3-4 times higher levels of essential elements Fe, Cu and Zn in comparison to the lean fish. Levels of Se ranged as follows (mg kg-1 wet wt): anchovy 0.27-0.37 ; sardine 0.66-1.1 ; red mullet 0.35-0.73. Ranges of Hg concentrations (mg kg-1 wet wt) for these fish species were: anchovy 0.02-0.13 ; sardine 0.05-0.14 ; red mullet 0.18- 4.1. Toxic metal levels in all three species were below the maximum permissible values set by EU Commission Regulation, with the exception of one red mullet sample with an Hg concentration of 4.1 mg kg-1 wet wt. The presented results are valuable for the assessment of nutritional and toxic metal intake via seafood in the Croatian population, especially for women of reproductive age and children, vulnerable population groups for toxic effects of common environmental pollutants including metals.

element analysis ; mercury ; metals ; seafood ; selenium

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