Estimation of Target Hazard Quotients and Potential Health Risks for Toxic Metals and Other Trace Elements by Consumption of Female Fish Gonads and Testicles.

Kamila Pokorska-Niewiada,Jacek Cybulski,Mikołaj Protasowicki,Agata Witczak

doi:10.3390/ijerph19052762

Kamila Pokorska-Niewiada, Jacek Cybulski + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19052762

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the risk to consumers associated with the intake of toxic metals and other trace elements in diets that include the female gonads, testicles, and muscles of four popular freshwater fish species in Poland—common bream (Abramis brama L.), European perch (Perca fluviatilis L.), common roach (Rutilus rutilus L.), and northern pike (Esox Lucius L.). The following methods were used to determine the elements: GF-AAS (Pb, Cd); CV-AAS (Hg); ICP-AES (Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, Li, Cr, Al). The concentration of toxic elements (Hg, Cd, Pb) in the female gonads and testicles ranged from 0.004 ± 0.006 mg/kg (Cd) to 0.028 ± 0.018 mg/kg (Pb). Of the other elements, the lowest content was noted for Cr (0.122 ± 0.182 mg/kg) and the highest for Al (46.98 ± 31.89 mg/kg). The study confirmed that female gonads and testicles are a valuable source of essential trace elements (Zn, Fe). Considering the content of toxic elements, the raw material of female gonads and testicles posed no health risks (THQ < 1).

Highlights

The fishes collected from lakes Płoń, Miedwie, and Żelewko are among the most popular freshwater fish species caught in Poland
It was not unequivocally found that the type of feed the fish consumed was confirmed to significantly influence (p < 0.05) the contents of all the elements analyzed in the female gonads and testicles
The current study analyzed the quality of female fish gonads and testicles in terms of the content in them of 11 trace elements, including toxic elements

Summary

Introduction

Introduction and TesticlesInt. J. Environ. Res.Fishes are a valuable human food thanks to the high contents of omega 3 polyunsaturated acids, fat-soluble vitamins, and essential minerals [1]; however, fishes readily take up contaminants, including trace elements, especially toxic metals (cadmium, lead, and mercury), from the water and food and accumulate them in their tissues [2,3].Until recently, fish gonads were considered to be fish waste products, but currently, they are increasingly being used as food. Caviar, or sturgeon eggs, is known worldwide.

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