Levels of Heavy Metals in Pseudotolithus Elongatus From Badagry Market, Nigeria

Abstract

Fish plays a significant role in food and nutrition security across the world, especially in Nigeria, where the people consume fish as a major supplement to carbohydrate-based diets. Although the fish Pseudotolithus elongatus is present in Badagry coastal waters, it is one of the popular imported fish into Nigeria and has a high price in Badagry market because of its characterized good flavor and palatability. However, there are no recent reports on the safety of consuming this fish. In this study, 182 specimens of fresh P. elongatus purchased from Badagry market during October 2016 to April 2017 were examined for heavy metal composition (iron, copper, zinc, chromium, and lead) to assess their safety levels for human consumption. Samples were digested using the FAO and APHA procedures, while heavy metal concentrations were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Statistical analysis was carried out using ANOVA. The average concentrations of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), and lead (Pb) detected in the entire content of P. elongatus were 14.55±1.17, 0.20±0.02, 3.92±0.61, 0.06±0.02, and 0.35±0.02 mgkg −1 , respectively. These concentrations were below the maximum limits recommended in fish and fishery products by the WHO and the FAO. Thus, this study confirms the safety of consumption of this fish from Badagry market. Nevertheless, sellers and processors must embrace hygienic practices to avoid contamination of the fish. 184 Mekuleyi and Joseph 32(4): 184-188 (2017) / TURKISH JOURNAL OF AQUATIC SCIENCESJournal abbreviation: Turkish J Aqua Sci

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (Lacepede, 1803) and Eichhornia crassipes (Mart) from Ologe Lagoon and its Tributaries in Lagos, Nigeria

“…The mean concentrations of heavy metals (except Zn) in Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus in the present study are above the limit recommended by FEPA and WHO [26]. The Fe content of C. nigrodigitatus in this study is higher than the value reported in Pseudotolithus elongatus [32]. Iron is an essential component of haemoglobin, which is responsible for oxygen transportation in the body.…”

“…The Cu content in C. nigrodigitatus recorded in this study is higher than the values reported in previous studies such as in C. nigrodigitatus [29,33] but lower than that reported in Parachanna obscura [31] from Epe Lagoon. The Zn, Pb and Cd values in fish in this study are above those found in Oreochromis niloticus [11] and in Pseudotolithus elongatus [32]. On the contrary, Pb and Cd contents recorded in C. nigrodigitatus in the present study is lower than the valus recorded in Scomber scombrus [34,35].…”

Comparative Heavy Metals Concentration in Water Column, Sediments, Chrysichthys Nigrodigitatus (Silver Catfish) and Macrobrachium Macrobrachion (Brackish Water Prawn) From Badagry Creek and Ologe Lagoon in Nigeria

“…On the contrary, the levels of Cr detected in sediment, fish and prawn for the present study did not exceed the WHO maximum limit of <25µgg -1 , 0.1µgg -1 and 0.08µgg -1 of Cr for sediment, fish and prawn respectively. Chromium is a key element in the metabolism of sugar in plants and animals and also regulate the rate played by insulin molecules in transporting glucose into the cells for glycolysis [18]. The concentration of copper (Cu) in the surface water of both Ologe Lagoon and Badagry Creek were above WHO permissible value of 0.40mgL -1 .…”