Abstract
The characterization of edible tissues of fishes consumed by humans is very important for determination of several toxic and potentially toxic elements, ensuring the food safety. The Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) comparative method allows the determination of several of these elements, as well as others, for example of nutritional character. This study is part of an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) technical cooperation project of Latin America and Caribbean countries to ensure the quality of food and biomonitoring of contaminants in shellfish and fishes. Ten specimens of 4 of the most consumed fish in São Paulo city: whitemouth croaker (Micropogonias Furnieri), smooth weakfish (Cynoscion learchus), common snook (Centropomus undecimalis) and Brazilian sardine (Sardinella brasiliensis) were analyzed. Complete procedures for analysis, which includes purchase in the largest warehouse in Latin America, transport to the laboratory, storage, freeze-drying, milling, weighting and others preparations of the subsamples, and the short irradiation parameters for the determination of Br, Cl, K, Mg, Mn and Na are reported. Results obtained under the same irradiation conditions for reference materials (oyster and mussel tissues) for macro and microelements are presented and are in agreement with their certificates, which indicate that the performed analyses were appropriate. Regarding to the mass fraction values obtained for the fish samples, they were in agreement with the literature.
Highlights
INTRODUCTIONFish consumption is important for human health due to its benefits [1] as content of high-quality protein, vitamins, essential nutrients, and two kinds of omega-3: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (HPA) [2]
Fish consumption is important for human health due to its benefits [1] as content of high-quality protein, vitamins, essential nutrients, and two kinds of omega-3: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (HPA) [2].Despite the benefits of fish consumption and Brazil having an extensive coastline, the Brazilian population only reached the consumption recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) of 12 kg/year person, according the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture in 2013 [3].Inorganic contaminants are present in the aquatic environment, coming from natural and anthropogenic sources
This paper describes procedures for analysis of micro, macro and toxic elements in fish by the comparative Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) technique, in the framework of a Technical Cooperation Project of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for Latin American and Caribbean countries in assurance of food quality and biomonitoring of contaminants in shellfish and fish (Project Number RLA/5/054, ARCAL CIII) [9]
Summary
Fish consumption is important for human health due to its benefits [1] as content of high-quality protein, vitamins, essential nutrients, and two kinds of omega-3: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (HPA) [2]. Inorganic contaminants are present in the aquatic environment, coming from natural and anthropogenic sources. The problematic of these contaminants occurs by the following steps: inorganic contaminants are present in the sediment, which provides habitat and food for benthos and fish, bioaccumulation and biomagnification may exist from food web relationships [4, 5] and humans can be exposed to the inorganic contaminants by feeding on fishes [6]. This paper describes procedures for analysis of micro, macro and toxic elements in fish by the comparative INAA technique, in the framework of a Technical Cooperation Project of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for Latin American and Caribbean countries in assurance of food quality and biomonitoring of contaminants in shellfish and fish (Project Number RLA/5/054, ARCAL CIII) [9]
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