| Popis: |
Fish is a major source of food in many parts of the world because they contribute to solving the global food problem and provide the well-known proteins, minerals, vitamin and trace elements content. Concentrations of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) were determined in various parts of the fish (liver, gill, bone and muscle) of Mackerel (Scomber scombrus), Sardine (Sardinella longiceps), Hake (Merluccius merluccius) and Express (Platax scalaris) which were purchased from two major markets in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Heavy metal levels in the fish samples were analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS Buck 211). Health risks related to Fe, Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb and Cd were assessed based on target hazard quotient (THQ). Results obtained showed variations in the levels of heavy metals across the various tissues in the fish samples. The concentration of Fe was highest in all the tissues in the fish samples with the gill recording the highest level. There were higher concentrations of heavy metals in the gills than in other tissues of the fish samples. The trend of heavy metal levels in the tissues was found to be Fe > Zn > Cu > Ni > Pb > Cd. Highest levels of Pb and Cd in the muscle were 1.92 ± 0.04 and 0.64 ± 0.04 mg/kg in Merlucciusmerloccius and Scomberscombrus respectively. The concentrations of Pb and Cd were higher in the muscles of all the samples than European Community and Food and Agriculture Organization maximum permissible levels. The health risks from Ni and Pb were found highest among all the heavy metals in the fish samples. THQ values of Cu and Cd in Sardinellalongiceps and Cu in Merlucciusmerloccius were higher than 1. Health risk assessment of Ni and Pb in all the fish studied and Cd in Sardinellalongiceps indicates that their consumption may be unsafe. |
