Accumulation of arsenic during the growing period of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Olga Čelechovská,Blanka Macharáčková,Alena Lavičková,Veronika Harkabusová,Eva Vitoulová

doi:10.2754/avb201180020219

Olga Čelechovská, Blanka Macharáčková + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.2754/avb201180020219

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Abstract

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was monitored for the duration of one year, from 2 to 14 months of age (n = 120). The study was performed on a farm with through-running water from the basin of water processing plant in the years 2007 and 2008. During the first months of fish life, we analyzed homogenized samples (n = 12) of rainbow trout bodies. From the 8th month the samples of twelve rainbow trouts were analysed. The total contents of arsenic and arsenobetaine were quantified in muscle, liver, spleen and bile separately. The total arsenic was determined by hydride technique AAS and arsenobetaine by high performance liquid chromatography combined with detection using atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The concentration of arsenic in homogenized body samples grew (P < 0.01) during the first months of life, from the 6th month of rearing no significant difference was found. The concentration of arsenobetaine in homogenized bodies was low during the first months and from the 6th month the concentration stayed on invariable level and amounted to 46 ± 6% of total arsenic. The highest concentrations of arsenic and arsenobetaine in tissues ranked in the order muscle, liver, spleen and bile. In summer months the total arsenic in muscle was bonded in the form of arsenobetaine, in winter months the content of arsenobetaine dropped to 50% of total arsenic. The content of arsenic in liver samples remained the same during the entire monitoring, however, the ratio of arsenobetaine content altered. In summer months it reached the maximum 27%, in winter months it dropped to 7% of arsenic. The concentration of arsenic in spleen and bile decreased in winter months, arsenobetaine corresponded to the value assessed in liver. This study proved the effect of the small content of arsenic in feedstuff on accumulation of total arsenic and arsenobetaine in the tissue of rainbow trout during the growing period and season.

Highlights

Arsenic compounds enter the environment naturally by volcanic eruptions, forest fires and weather impacts such as erosion
The concentration of arsenobetaine in homogenized bodies was low during the first months and from the 6th month the concentration stayed on invariable level and amounted to 46 ± 6% of total arsenic
In summer months the total arsenic in muscle was bonded in the form of arsenobetaine, in winter months the content of arsenobetaine dropped to 50% of total arsenic

Summary

Introduction

Arsenic compounds enter the environment naturally by volcanic eruptions, forest fires and weather impacts such as erosion. Arsenic exists in a wide variety of chemical forms and oxidation states, which influences its bioavailability and toxicity. In recent years a number of publications have appeared dealing with the arsenic content in marine organisms (Agusa et al 2008; Grotti et al 2010; Francesconi 2010) and freshwater organisms (Čelechovská et al 2005; Ciardullo et al 2010). More than 50 arsenic compounds were detected in marine organisms. Arsenobetaine (AsB), which is stable, metabolically inactive and non-toxic, predominates over all the arsenic species in edible parts of fish (Sloth et al 2005). Bonded arsenic, it is not the main component of total arsenic content in fish and crustaceans, represents a potential risk of toxicity. Out of the total arsenic content in Address for correspondence: Doc. Ing. The aim of this study was to monitor the accumulation of arsenic in tissues of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) during intensive rearing, to monitor the content of organically bonded arsenic and to compare the total content of arsenic with the content of organically bonded arsenic

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