Abstract
Octopus vulgaris constitute an important part of most suitable marine resources for human consumption, however, they can represent a source in chemical contaminants intake such as heavy metals. In this scenario, the aim of the study was the evaluation of the concentration of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) in the muscle and digestive gland of octopus caught from two different locations along Campania coast (Castellammare di Stabia and Napoli) and the estimation of their weekly human intake derived from the ingestion of octopus. Analysing 38 samples showed a higher concentration of Pb in the muscle of octopus in Castellammare di Stabia than in Napoli. No statistical differences were reported for Cd, Pb and Hg concentrations in the digestive gland of octopus between two sampling sites. Differences were observed between the two tissue types, with a higher level of Cd and Pb observed in the digestive gland compared with the muscle. Noteworthy, the consumption of muscle from Castellammare di Stabia could increase Pb intake in heavy consumers of local octopus. In conclusion, the present work determines that it is important to improve strategies to minimize environmental pollution sources in these areas.
Highlights
Regular dietary fishery products intake is recommended by nutritionists since they contain high concentrations of functional nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids, useful in decreasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases [1]
The lack of relations between heavy metals concentration in muscle and digestive gland of O. vulgaris and weight suggest that, within the range of weight of the studied specimens these parameters had minor effect on metal accumulation. These observations multiple regression analyses indicate that there was no correlation between weight, gender and were already described in other studies on O. vulgaris captured along Portuguese coast [13]
The present study provided data on heavy metals concentrations in Octopus vulgaris from the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea (Italy)
Summary
Regular dietary fishery products intake is recommended by nutritionists since they contain high concentrations of functional nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids, useful in decreasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases [1]. Fishery products consumption in Italy has increased from 16 kg/year per person in 2016, to 25 kg/year in 2018, with good prospects of further growth [2]. Cephalopods constitute an important part of the marine resources most suitable for human consumption. Common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) is mainly consumed in Southern European countries such as Italy and Spain; consumption in Italy has a range from 1.5 to 5.1 kg per capita/year [3]. This species can represent a source for chemical contaminants intake.
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