Heavy metals content in fresh tuna and swordfish caught from Hindian and Pacific Oceans: Health risk assessment of dietary exposure

Abstract

Background and Aim: Yellowfin tuna and swordfish are seafood commodities commonly caught from deep oceans worldwide. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the levels of three heavy metals, namely, cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) in yellowfin tuna and swordfish. The results are expected to provide consumers with information on the safety of consuming or exporting these fishes caught in the Hindian and Pacific Oceans. Materials and Methods: Fresh yellowfin and swordfish were obtained from fishermen’s catches in FAO Fishing Zone 57 (Indian Ocean) and 71 (Pacific Ocean) and then collected at Benoa Harbor, Bali Province. The comparative method was to evaluate the levels of heavy metals in each fish. Furthermore, heavy metal concentrations, including Pb, Cd, and Hg, were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy analysis. These results were then used to assess the safety of these fishes by calculating the estimated daily intake (EDI) and target hazard quotients-total target hazard quotients (THQs-TTHQs). Results: The analysis showed that none of the samples exceeded the threshold levels for the three heavy metals, which was specified by the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) and European Commission Regulation (CR) No. 1881/2006. The EDI and provisional tolerable weekly index (PTWI) obtained in this study were still in the safe range. However, the PTWI values for Pb in yellowfin tuna product from the Indian Ocean were higher (0.0038 mg/kg) compared to the recommended standard for the adult population. The THQ-TTHQ values of fish caught from these oceans were also within the acceptable range specified by the two agencies, indicating that they are safe for consumption by people with various age groups and for export purposes. Conclusion: The average levels of three heavy metals (Cd, Pb, and Hg) in muscle samples of yellowfin tuna and swordfish caught from the Pacific and Hindian Oceans were within the acceptable range as specified by the SNI and CR No. 1881/2006. Furthermore, the EDI and THQs values indicated that fishes caught from the Pacific and Hindian Oceans were safe for consumption. This research is still limited to assessing two capture fisheries commodities. Further research is needed on the assessment of heavy metal levels in other capture fisheries commodities in this capture zone. Keywords: health risk assessment, heavy metal pollution, seafood products, Tuna.

Metal Load of Potentially Toxic Elements in Tuna (Thunnus albacares)—Food Safety Aspects

“…The interval of the Hg level in the flesh of yellowfin tuna caught from the Pacific Ocean (FAO Fishing Zone 71) was 0.10–0.35 mg/kg w.w. and it was 0.01–0.23 mg/kg in the Indian Ocean (FAO Fishing Zone 57) [ 3 ].…”

“…Fish, especially cold-water marine fish, are rich in n-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids (e.g., linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid) that can reduce the potential risk of developing different diseases, e.g., diabetes, systemic arterial hypertension, obesity, hyperlipidemia, etc. [ 3 , 4 , 5 ].…”

“…Due to these components, the flesh of fish has high digestibility (85–95%) and it has beneficial effects on different health problems, e.g., metabolic syndrome, insulin sensitivity, skeletal muscle injury, etc. [ 3 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ].…”

Occurrence and Consumer Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Frozen Demersal Fish and Cephalopod Products from Benoa Port, Bali Province

“…The level of toxicity is determined by various factors, including i) exposure period, ii) type of metal, iii) organism, iv) tissue of an organism, and v) physico-chemical properties of water (19). The same is true of fishing endeavors in the wild, which can pose a threat in and of themselves because these water bodies are contaminated with pesticides or other pollutant agents from agricultural land, oil spills, microplastics, and heavy metals from industry (20)(21)(22)(23). Metal pollution in waters has been linked to detrimental effects on biodiversity induced by metals and metalloids, ranging from population decline to extinction (24).…”

“…A risk table created by the USEPA was used to quantify the human health danger presented by consuming heavy metal-contaminated fisheries products. THQ score less than one suggests that this fisheries product is safe to consume and unlikely that may cause concern (23).…”