Abstract
Bivalves, such as freshwater clams (Corbicula fluminea) and hard clams (Meretrix lusoria), are the most extensive and widely grown shellfish in land-based ponds in Taiwan. However, few studies have examined the contamination of bivalves by quinolone and organophosphorus insecticides. Thus, we adapted an established procedure to analyze 8 quinolones and 12 organophosphorus insecticides using liquid and gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Surveys in Taiwan have not noted high residual levels of these chemicals in bivalve tissues. A total of 58 samples of freshwater or hard clams were obtained from Taiwanese aquafarms. We identified 0.03 mg/kg of enrofloxacin in one freshwater clam, 0.024 mg/kg of flumequine in one freshwater clam, 0.02 mg/kg of flumequine in one hard clam, 0.05 mg/kg of chlorpyrifos in one freshwater clam, 0.03 mg/kg of chlorpyrifos in one hard clam, and 0.02 mg/kg of trichlorfon in one hard clam. The results indicated that 5.17% of the samples had quinolone insecticide residues and 5.17% had organophosphorus residues. However, the estimated daily intake (EDI)/acceptable daily intake quotient (ADI) indicated no significant risk and no immediate health risk from the consumption of bivalves. These results provide a reference for the food-safety screening of veterinary drugs and pesticides in aquatic animals. Aquatic products should be frequently screened for residues of prohibited chemicals to safeguard human health.
Highlights
Seafood aquaculture constitutes an important source of livelihood for people in several countries, and the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimated that globalMolecules 2020, 25, 3636; doi:10.3390/molecules25163636 www.mdpi.com/journal/moleculesMolecules 2020, 25, 3636 aquaculture production will reach 80,000,000 t by 2050, [1]
No quinolone residue was detected in 26 freshwater clam samples or 29 hard clam samples
Quinolone residue was detected at an average level of 0.0011:0.0009 mg/kg in all freshwater clams and 0.0007 mg/kg in all hard clams, respectively
Summary
Seafood aquaculture constitutes an important source of livelihood for people in several countries, and the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimated that globalMolecules 2020, 25, 3636; doi:10.3390/molecules25163636 www.mdpi.com/journal/moleculesMolecules 2020, 25, 3636 aquaculture production will reach 80,000,000 t by 2050, [1]. Taiwan’s aquaculture farms contain a wide variety of species of fish, shellfish, mollusk, crustaceans, and aquatic plants [1,7,10]. Approximately 50 varieties of major and candidate species are farmed [11]. These aquatic species include crustaceans, bivalves, fishes, reptiles, gastropods, seaweeds, and amphibians. The combined value of the cultures of gastropods and bivalves is considerable because Taiwan’s government has strongly supported the development of these aquacultures since the 1990s [1,3]. From 1973 (the onset of bivalve farming) until 2018, the average annual production of freshwater bivalves in Taiwan had reached 54,000 t and a value of more than
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