Nutritional quality and safety related to trace element content in fish from Tyrrhenian Sea

This study analyzed for the detection of the following trace elements: As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, Se, Zn, in muscle of four widely traded and consumed marine fish species (Mullus surmuletus L., Merluccius merluccius L., Micromesistius poutassou (Risso, 1827), Scomber scombrus L.) selected for their wide trade and consumption. Mean concentrations found in fish muscle, irrespective of species, ranged from 3.61 to 105.49 (As); 0.01-0.08 (Cd); 0.74-4.71 (Cu); 0.09-1.10 (Hg); 0.02-0.58 (Pb); 0.30-2.88 (Se); 11.56-73.37 (Zn) mg/kg wet weight. As, Hg, Cu and Se concentrations showed a significant difference (p < 0.01) among the analyzed species in winter and in summer. Cd exhibited a significant difference (p < 0.01) only in summer. The maximum levels set for Hg, Cd and Pb by European Regulation No 1881/2006 were exceeded by 5 (8.9%), 1 (1.8%) and 4 (7.1%) samples, respectively. In particular the species exceeding the legal limits were red mullet for Cd and Pb, Atlantic mackerel and blue whiting for Hg and Pb.