Assessment of the benefits of essential fatty acids and risks associated with antimicrobial residues in aquatic products: A case study of Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis)

Abstract

Much attention has been given to the safety and quality of aquatic products, including consuming Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis), which offers both nutritional benefits and toxicological risks. Eighteen sulfonamides, 9 quinolones and 37 fatty acids were analyzed in 92 crab samples from primary aquaculture provinces in China. Enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin have been mentioned as typical antimicrobials occurring at the greatest concentrations (>100 μg/kg, wm). By use of an in vitro method, the proportions of enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and essential fatty acids (EFAs, DHA and EPA) in ingested nutrients were determined to be 12 %, none and 95 %, respectively. The risk-benefit quotient (HQ) between the adverse effects of antimicrobials and nutritional benefits of EFAs in crabs found that HQs based on data after digestion were significantly less (HQ = 0.0086) than that of the control group where no digestion occurred (HQ = 0.055). This result suggested that (1) there was less risk posed by antimicrobials due to the consumption of crab, and (2) ignoring the bioaccessible fraction of antimicrobials in crabs might overestimate risks to the health of humans due to dietary exposure. Meaning bioaccessibility can improve the accuracy of the risk assessment process. Realistic risk evaluation should be recommended to achieve a quantified assessment of the dietary risks and benefits of aquatic products.