Chemical composition of raw fish consumed in Bahrain

Nine species (Seriolina nigrofasciata, Siganus canaliculatus, Rhabdosargus haffara, Scomberomorus commerson, Liza alata, Epinephelus areolatus, Plectorhinchus sordidus, Lethrinus nebulosus and Penaeus semislcatus) of raw fish commonly consumed in Bahrain were analyzed for their proximate, mineral and heavy metal content. The protein content ranged from 17.9-21.8 g/100 g, fat content from 0.80-16.1 g/100 g and energy content from 87.1-216.7 kcal/100 g. The raw fish also had high levels of sodium (82-300 mg/100 g), potassium (210-400 mg/100 g), phosphorous (200-280 mg/100 g), magnesium (23-47 mg/100 g) and zinc (0.0-2.2 mg/100 g). Content of iron, calcium and copper were quite low. The species Penaeus semislcatus had low levels of both lead and mercury (<0.02 microg g(-1)). The maximum level of lead was 0.50 microg g(-1) and mercury was 0.20 microg g(-1). One species (Rhabdosargus haffara) of fish had cadmium levels of 0.03 microg g(-1), while the rest of the fish had less than 0.02 microg g(-1). Overall, fish available in the market of Bahrain are a good source of some essential minerals. Furthermore, the heavy metal content is below the maximum permitted limits and can be safely consumed by the general public. However, monitoring of heavy metals in fish consumed in Bahrain should be done periodically.