Effect of Processing Conditions on Trace Elements in Fish Roe from Six Commercial New Zealand Fish Species

Abstract

The concentrations of trace elements in fish roes and the effect of processing conditions (karasumi-like or karashi mentaiko) were investigated in six commercial fish species from New Zealand. The studied elements were As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn, and the roes were from the following species: chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), hoki ( Macruronus novaezelandiae), southern blue whiting ( Micromesistius australis), hake ( Merluccius australis), blue warehou ( Seriolella brama), and barracouta ( Thyrsites atun). The concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Hg, and Pb in the roes were lower than literature values for fish muscles. Only Zn in barracouta roe and Cu in salmon roe and their products were relatively higher than the generally accepted levels in fish muscles and could be of safety concern. Hence, the consumption of barracouta and salmon roes among certain parts of the population needs to be monitored and assessed. Dry salting (karasumi-like) processing increased ( P < 0.001) the concentrations of the studied trace elements while salting fermentation (karashi mentaiko) processing tended to decrease the levels of trace elements. Fermentation may be a useful process to decrease the level of toxic trace elements.

Estimation of Target Hazard Quotients and Potential Health Risks for Toxic Metals and Other Trace Elements by Consumption of Female Fish Gonads and Testicles

“…The highest chromium contents in the female gonads and testicles analyzed in the current study were in perch at 0.197 ± 0.350 mg/kg. Bekhit, A.D. et al [ 4 ] confirmed lower values of this element at <0.05 mg/kg in the gonads of popular fishes in New Zealand. Perch from the Dniester River had similar quantities of this element at 0.08–0.25 mg/kg, while roach had much less of it at 0.01–0.02 mg/kg [ 33 ].…”

“…Caviar, or sturgeon eggs, is known worldwide. It is considered to be a potential therapeutic product [ 4 ], and it is thought to have an advantageous influence on cardiovascular diseases, colon cancer, chronic inflammation, cognitive disorders, and immunomodulation. Testicles are used mainly in Asian cuisines and are considered to be an aphrodisiac.…”

Estimation of Hazards and Potential Health Risks for Heavy Metals by Consumption of Four Cichlid Species from Lake Burullus and the River Nile, Egypt

“…However, fish absorb contaminants including heavy metals, and particularly toxic metals such as cadmium, lead, nickel and mercury from food and water; unfortunately, contaminants are accumulated in fish tissues (Ravanbakhsh et al, 2020). Fish absorb metals through ingesting the floating particles in water, feeding, ionexchange of dissolved metals across lipophilic membranes as in the gill, and subsequently these particles are adsorbed onto tissue and membrane surfaces (Bekhit et al, 2008). As a result of the tendency of fish to bio-accumulate and integrate pollutant loads, fish are regarded as bio-indicators of ecosystem quality (Farag et al, 2021).…”