Saim, Hafizah
(2011)
Determination of heavy metals in fish and seafood.
Masters thesis, Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Abstract
The aim of this study was to detennine concentrations level of heavy metals (zinc,
copper, cadmium and lead) in edible parts of fish and seafood. The levels of these
metals in fish (6) and seafood (4) purchased from the Kelantan markets were
measured. The conventional wet acid digestion method was used for the
mineralization of these samples prior to the quantitative detennination by graphite
furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (AOAC International, 2002). The heavy
metal concentrations in the fish ranged from (0.020 ± 0.01 to 0.900 ± 0.12 μg/g ww)
for Cu, (2.593 ± 0.36 to 9.610 ± 0.08 μg/g ww) for Zn, (0.025 ± 0.0025 to 0.150 ±
0.0014 μg/g ww) for Cd and (0.004 ± 0.014 to 0.110 ± 0.026 μg/g ww) for Pb.
Meanwhile, the heavy metal concentrations in seafood ranged from (0.440 ± 0.06 to
9.300 ± 0.10 μg/g ww) for Cu, (1.669 ± 0.46 to 9.800 ± 0.23 μg/g ww) for Zn, (0.340 ±
0.0032 to 0.930 ± 0.0023 μg/g ww) for Cd and (0.006 ± 0.017 to 0.180 ± 0.029 μg/g
ww) for Pb. In average, all heavy metals in seafood were higher than in fish. This
study also showed that the heavy metals concentration in demersal fish and seafood
were higher compared to pelagic species. The metal concentrations in the pelagic
species ranged from (0.020 ± 0.01 to 0.672 ± 0.24 μg/g ww) for Cu, (2.593 ± 0.36 to
5.693 ± 0.16 μg/g ww) for Zn, (0.025 ± 0.0025 to 0.041 ± 0.0023 μg/g ww) for Cd,
and (0.004 ± 0.014 to 0.005 ± 0.022 μg/g ww) for Pb. Meanwhile, the metal
concentrations in demersal species ranged from (0.440 ± 0.06 to 9.300 ± 0.10 μg/g
ww) for Cu, (1.669 ± 0.46 to 9.800 ± 0.23 μg/g ww) for zinc, (0.130 ± 0.0023 to 0.930
1
± 0.0023 μg/g ww) for Cd and (0.006 ± 0.017 to 0.180 ± 0.029 μg/g ww) for Pb.
Comparison of heavy metals concentration between pelagic and demersal species
were difficult due to the lack of literature information from other studies at more global
scale. However, all the average values of these metals from all populations were
lower than guidelines and regulations stipulating maximum permissible levels set by
the Malaysian Food Act 1983 and Food Regulations 1985 Fourteen Schedule. These
metals concentration found in fish and seafood were also considered to be lower
compared with literature in other studies. Thus, these concentration levels should
result in no acute toxicities of heavy metals since they are lower than the limit. It was
concluded that heavy metals concentration level in commercial fish and seafood must
be monitored comprehensively and periodically with respect to the consumer health.
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