Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Concentration in Cold Smoked Mullet Fish (<i>Mugil cephalus</i>)

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to determine the concentration and risk assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in cold-smoked mullet fish samples which were pre-frozen at -18°C for 6 months. Fish samples were obtained from two fish farms; A (Al-Batts drain) and B (El-Wadi drain), El-Fayoum governorate, Egypt. 16 components of PAHs concentration were determined by GC-MS. Results showed that the total concentration of PAHs recorded16.2 and 7.4 ppb sample of A- and B-smoked mullet fish products, respectively. Also, levels of Benzo [a] Pyrene (B {a} P) equivalent were 0.0378 and 0.029 ppb in A and B-products, respectively. Besides, content of Low molecular weight (LMW) components was higher in A-smoked mullet product than medium MW and vice versa in case B-smoked product however, high MW was not detected in products. In conclusion, PAHs concentration in smoked products processed from pre-frozen mullet samples for 6 months at -18°C are considered a minimally contaminated (16.2 ppb) for A-smoked product and not contaminated (7.4 ppb) for B-smoked product compared with recommended levels. In addition to the component of Benzo [a] Pyrene (B {a} P) was not detectable in all smoked fish products.