Abstract
This study was conducted to determine the concentration of total mercury in the edible portion of 46 species of marine fish (n = 297) collected from selected major fish landing ports and wholesale markets throughout Peninsular Malaysia. Samples were collected in June to December 2009. Prior to analysis, the fish samples were processed which consisted of drying at 65 °C until a constant weight was attained; then, it was grounded and digested by a microwave digestion system. The analytical determination was carried out by using a mercury analysis system. Total mercury concentration among fish species was examined. The results showed that mercury concentrations were found significantly higher (p < 0.001) in demersal fish (the range was from 0.173 to 2.537 mg/kg in dried weight) compared to pelagic fish (which ranged from 0.055 to 2.137 mg/kg in dried weight). The mercury concentrations were also higher in carnivorous fish especially in the species with more predatory feeding habits. Besides, the family group of Latidae (0.537 ± 0.267 mg/kg in dried weight), Dasyatidae (0.492 ± 0.740 mg/kg in dried weight), and Lutjanidae (0.465 ± 0.566 mg/kg in dried weight) showed significantly (p < 0.001) higher mercury levels compared to other groups. Fish collected from Port Klang (0.563 ± 0.509 mg/kg in dry weight), Kuala Besar (0.521 ± 0.415 mg/kg in dry weight), and Pandan (0.380 ± 0.481 mg/kg in dry weight) were significantly higher (p = 0.014) in mercury concentrations when compared to fish from other sampling locations. Total mercury levels were significantly higher (p < 0.002) in bigger fish (body length >20 cm) and were positively related with fish size (length and weight) in all fish samples. Despite the results, the level of mercury in marine fish did not exceed the permitted levels of Malaysian and JECFA guideline values at 0.5 mg/kg methylmercury in fish.
Highlights
Fish is an important source of protein in Malaysia
This study has identified lower mercury levels in marine fish according to the guidelines; commercial marine fish from Peninsular Malaysia is considered safe for human consumption
This study evaluated mercury concentrations in 46 species of commonly consumed marine fish sampled from fish landing ports and wholesale markets in Peninsular Malaysia
Summary
Fish is an important source of protein in Malaysia. The Malaysian per capita consumption of fish was 56.39 kg/person/year in the year 2003 and accounted for 12.4 % of total food intake per capita (Tey et al 2008). The results of the Household Expenditure Survey for Malaysia in 2004/2005 showed that budget shares on fish (22.1 %) was the second largest after cereals (23.9 %), and the trend showed an increase when compared to the previous 1999/2000 survey (21.8 %). A study on food consumption behavior among Malays showed that the consumers were not affected by the changes in fish price, where an increase in the expenditure on fish may be caused by increment of income together with an increase in the health consciousness (Tey et al 2008).
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