Levels of dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) and metals in European sea bass from fish farms in Italy

Abstract

► DL-PCB and metal levels were measured in sea bass from different fish farms in Italy. ► Contamination was higher in extensively reared fish than in intensively reared fish. ► DL-PCB and metal contamination in sea bass were far below regulatory values. ► Sea bass from Italian fish farms were considered safe for human consumption. The study evaluated the levels of dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) and metals in the fillet of medium (468 ± 92 g) and large (708 ± 135 g) European sea bass ( Dicentrarchus labrax ) from 11 Italian fish farms using different rearing systems. DL-PCB contamination was higher in fish grown in extensive coastal lagoons compared with intensive inland basins and intensive sea cages (28.5 vs. 9.13 and 13.1 pg Toxic Equivalents (TEQ)/g fat; P < 0.001). Copper concentrations were lower (0.810 vs . 0.993 and 1.071 mg/kg fw) and mercury was higher (0.025 vs . 0.006 and 0.003 mg/kg fw) ( P < 0.001) in sea bass from extensive farms than from intensively farmed fish in inland or sea cage systems. Sea bass size did not affect DL-PCB and metal contamination. Even at the highest contamination levels detected in this study, European sea bass were always below risk for human health concerns and were considered safe for human consumption.