Evaluation of mercury levels in Pangasius and Cod fillets traded in Sicily (Italy)

Abstract

Predator fishes at the top of the aquatic food chain can accumulate large concentrations of metals and their consumption, consequently, makes a significant contribution, in particular, to mercury intake. The aim of this study was to determine mercury levels in fillets of two predatory species: pangasius (Pangasius hypophthalmus) from the Vietnam region of Megong and Chao Pharayai and cod (Gadus morhua) from the Baltic and North Sea, both being commercially important in the Italian market. A comparative analysis of these two imported fish species was carried out as a risk assessment for consumer safety. The results showed the presence of higher mercury levels in pangasius (0.41 ± 0.08 mg kg(-1)) than in cod (0.11 ± 0.004 mg kg(-1)) fillets. These data underline the importance of monitoring on imported fish before marketing, to evaluate better the risk of mercury exposure through fish and seafood consumption, and of selecting safer fishes for consumption by those groups more sensitive to the toxic effects of this metal.

The chemical quality of frozen Vietnamese Pangasius hypophthalmus fillets

“…Nevertheless, in line with our findings, 50% of Pangasius fillets from Vietnam marketed in Italy demonstrated Hg concentrations >0.5 mg kg −1 (Ferrantelli et al. ). These results demonstrate the need for control measures in order to improve water quality where Pangasius are farmed, as well as to better monitor the quality of these fish species during importation in order to check for the contamination risks of fish consumption.…”

Microbiological and chemical safety concerns regarding frozen fillets obtained from Pangasius sutchi and Nile tilapia exported to European countries

“…The heavy metal contamination of pangasius and tilapia fillets differs from one study to another, and Ferrantelli et al underlined the necessity of monitoring the heavy metal residues in imported fish fillets after performing research on pangasius fillets imported to Italy.…”

Toxic Metals in Pelagic, Benthic and Demersal Fish Species from Mediterranean FAO Zone 37

“…Fish is considered a food rich of high-quality proteins and long chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids but low in saturated fatty acids (Sidhu 2003). At the same time, seafood represent a significant source of heavy metal exposure (Lo Turco et al 2012;Di Bella et al 2015;Salvo et al 2015) and the eating of edible marine species gives particularly the greatest contribution to mercury intake (Ferrantelli et al 2012) and, for this reason, fishes are considered bioindicators to metal pollution (Salvo et al 2014;Copat et al 2012). The Mediterranean Sea is one of the marine areas of the world showing increase in fisheries, with high exploitation of both demersal and big pelagic fishes.…”