Concentration of heavy metals and its risk assessments on Pseudotolithus senegalensis, Sciaenops ocellatus and Chloroscombrus chrysurus smoked on different ovens

Abstract

This study sought to investigate the concentration of heavy metals and risk assessment in the fresh and smoked fish tissues (Muscles, gills and bones) of Pseudotolithus senegalensis, Sciaenops ocellatus, and Chloroscombrus chrysurus. Pseudotolithus senegalensis, Sciaenops ocellatus, and Chloroscombrus chrysurus were caught off the coast of Jamestown beach in Accra and treated as fresh, smoked, unwashed and washed. Smoking was done on Ahotor, Chorkor, and Oil drum ovens, and analyzed for heavy metals using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Fish tissues of Pseudolithus senegalensis, Sciaenops ocellatus, and Chloroscombrus chrysurus smoked on Ahotor oven respectively followed a different pattern of heavy metal concentration as Muscles > Bones > Gills; Bones > Gills > Muscles and Gills > Bones > Muscles whereas smoked fish tissues of Pseudolithus senegalensis, Sciaenops ocellatus, and Chloroscombrus chrysurus on Chorkor and Oil drum oven showed a similar pattern as Gills > Bones > Muscles. Studied Fish species showed higher levels of heavy metals concentration on Ahotor followed by Oil drum and Chorkor ovens. The concentration of heavy metals in Pseudotolithus senegalensis, Sciaenops ocellatus, and Chloroscombrus chrysurus was reduced after washing. All EDI values recorded exceeded the permissible limit but THQ and TTHQ values were <1, indicating a lower health risk hazard when smoked fish from these species is consumed.