Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Four Fish Pelagic Species Along the Moroccan Coasts.

Abstract

Benzo (a) pyrene (BaP) is part of a class of chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). PAHs are a large group of ubiquitous and toxic environmental contaminants. They are under the control of the European Commission (EC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Human can be exposed to PAHs through breathing, skin contact and ingestion. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the (BaP) contamination of sardine, mackerel, anchovy and horse mackerel species that originate from the Atlantic and Mediterranean Oceans. The analysis has been performed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. The results revealed a measurable presence of (BaP) in foodstuffs, yet also exhibited the minimal existence of (BaP) values with fluctuations also variants. The levels detected in these products showed a compliance of the fish with the global essential safety requirements of the European commission.