The main objective of this study is to investigate the variation between biochemical compositions and bioaccumulation of some heavy metals in edible muscle of commercially important seafood, crustacean (Peneaus japonica), cuttlefish (Sepia vulgaris), mussels (Donax trunculatus) and oyster (Tapes decussates and Paphia undulata) as an attempt to rank them as an alternative rich animal energy source for human and to determine if consumers are at risk of consuming this seafood. The mean values of body constituents differed significantly (P<0.05) among various seafood species. The recorded data declare that the highest caloric content was observed in the following order: Peneaus japonica > Paphia undulata >Tapes decussates > Sepia vulgaris > D. trunculatus. On the other hand, the average concentrations of heavy metals in muscle decreased in the following order: Pb > Cd > As > Hg > Al µg/g wet weight. Moreover, MPI values suggested that D. trunculatus and P. undulata have a greater capacity for metal bioaccumulation than P. japonica and T. decussates while S. vulgaris had the lowest value. The present study confirmed that the investigate seafood species was safe within the limits for human consumption. So it is recommended that more research and assessment of seafood quality is needed to provide more data and help safeguard the health of human.

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