Monitoring of polychlorinated biphenyl contamination and estrogenic activity in water, commercial feed and farmed seafood

Abstract

We evaluated the concentration and congener distribution of seven "target" polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) present in water collected in different aquaculture farms of the Mediterranean area, commercial feeds, and farmed seafood. PCBs were present in feed and in tissues of all the analysed organisms at levels ranging from 1.96 ng g(-1) to 124.00 ng g(-1) wet weight, and in 10.5% of the water samples, at levels from under detection limit to 33.0 ng l(-1) with total PCB concentrations significantly higher in samples from the Tyrrhenian Sea than the Adriatic Sea. PCB congener distribution in tissues resembled that of feed, suggesting that commercial feed is an important source of PCBs. The estrogenicity of organic extracts of the samples was also evaluated by using an in vitro yeast reporter assay. Estrogenic activity higher than 10% of the activity induced by 10 nM 17 beta-estradiol was observed in 20.0% of seafood samples and 15.8% of water samples. Seafood and water samples from the Tyrrhenian Sea were more frequently estrogenic than the Adriatic ones (16.45 versus 4.08%). A significant correlation of total PCB concentrations on biological activity was observed for sea bass and mussels from the Adriatic Sea (p < 0.045 and p < 0.04, respectively), and for sea bass of the Tyrrhenian Sea (p = 0.05). These results indicate the need of an integral approach in the exposure assessment to potential toxic compounds for human via food.

Seafoods and Environmental Contaminants

“…Some studies have shown that commercial feed is the major contributor for PEP accumulation in cultivated species. PBDEs [31,49], PCBs [45,46], OCPs [31,47], PAHs [31], and heavy metals [53] were reported in feeds, and similar congener profiles between feed and analyzed samples were obtained.…”

“…Products from aquaculture are generally regarded as safe and nutritious foods, but sometimes they show a higher risk of contamination by PEPs than that of products from freshwater or marine ecosystems [44]. The concentrations of contaminants may vary depending on the chemical properties of the compound, fish species, physiological state, type of farming, location of the farm, farming technology, management practices, and season [45]. It is usually reported that farmed species contain higher amounts of OCs and heavy metals than wild caught species.…”

Non-Breast Milk Feeding in Developing Countries: Challenge from Microbial and Chemical Contaminants

“…Most have estrogen-like activity or block androgen action [33]. Phthalates are used as plasticizers and are testicular toxins as well as estradiol imitators.…”

Differential neurotoxic effects of <i>in utero</i> and lactational exposure to hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyl (OH-PCB 106) on spontaneous locomotor activity and motor coordination in young adult male mice

“…PCBs bioaccumulate through the food chain. Although the production of PCBs was banned in 1970s, they have been detected in samples of human blood and tissues (Donato et al, 2006;Koopman-Esseboom et al, 1994;Pinto et al, 2008) because of their chemical stability and high lipophilicity. PCB congeners are endocrine disruptors that can cause adverse effects on reproductive, immune, and neurological systems in humans (Carpenter, 1998;Swanson et al, 1995).…”