Determination of Mercury, Methylmercury and Selenium Concentrations in Elasmobranch Meat: Fish Consumption Safety

Arianna Storelli, Grazia Barone, Rita Garofalo, Antonio Busco and Maria Maddalena Storelli
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Arianna Storelli: Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutical Department, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Valenzano, 70010 Bari, Italy
Grazia Barone: Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutical Department, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Valenzano, 70010 Bari, Italy
Rita Garofalo: Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutical Department, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Valenzano, 70010 Bari, Italy
Antonio Busco: Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutical Department, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Valenzano, 70010 Bari, Italy
Maria Maddalena Storelli: Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutical Department, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Valenzano, 70010 Bari, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 2, 1-13

Abstract: This study measures total mercury (THg), methylmercury (MeHg) and selenium (Se) concentrations in elasmobranch fish from an Italian market with the aim of evaluating the risk-benefit associated with their consumption, using estimated weekly intake (EWI), permissible safety level (MeHg PSL ), selenium health benefit value (HBV Se ) and monthly consumption rate limit (CR mm ) for each species. THg and Se were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry, while MeHg was determined by HrGc/Ms. THg and MeHg concentrations ranged from 0.61 to 1.25 μg g −1 w.w. and from 0.57 to 0.97 μg g −1 w.w., respectively, whereas Se levels were 0.49–0.65 μg g −1 w.w. In most samples European Community limits for THg were surpassed, while for MeHg none of the fish had levels above the limit adopted by FAO/WHO. EWIs for THg and MeHg in many cases were above the provisional tolerable weekly intakes (PTWIs). MeHg PSL estimate showed that fish should contain approximately 50% of the concentration measured to avoid exceeding the PTWI. Nevertheless, the HBV Se index indicated that solely skates were safe for human consumption (HBV Se = 3.57–6.22). Our results highlight the importance of a constant monitoring of THg and MeHg level in fish, especially in apex predators, to avoid the risk of overexposure for consumers.

Keywords: EWI; elasmobranch fish; mercury; methylmercury; selenium; CR mm; HBV Se (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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