Estimated Dietary Intake of Trace Metals from Swordfish Consumption: A Human Health Problem
Grazia Barone,
Angela Dambrosio,
Arianna Storelli,
Rita Garofalo,
Vito Pietro Busco,
Maria Maddalena Storelli
Affiliations
Grazia Barone
Biosciences, Biotechnlogies and Biopharmacological Department, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”—Strada Prov. le per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano (BA), Italy
Angela Dambrosio
Department of Emergency and Organ Transplant, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”—Strada Prov. le per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano (BA), Italy
Arianna Storelli
Biosciences, Biotechnlogies and Biopharmacological Department, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”—Strada Prov. le per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano (BA), Italy
Rita Garofalo
Biosciences, Biotechnlogies and Biopharmacological Department, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”—Strada Prov. le per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano (BA), Italy
Vito Pietro Busco
Biosciences, Biotechnlogies and Biopharmacological Department, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”—Strada Prov. le per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano (BA), Italy
Maria Maddalena Storelli
Biosciences, Biotechnlogies and Biopharmacological Department, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”—Strada Prov. le per Casamassima Km 3, 70010 Valenzano (BA), Italy
Trace element (Hg, Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Ni, and Cr) occurrence was determined in the muscle tissue of swordfish collected in the Mediterranean Sea to assess whether the intakes complied with the recommended levels for essential metals and permissible levels for toxic elements. Metals were analyzed by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Shimadzu AA 7000). The methodology of Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) was also evaluated. The ranking order of toxic metal concentration was Hg > Cd > Pb, while for essential elements the distribution pattern followed the sequence Zn > Cu > Ni > Cr. The Estimated Weekly Intakes (EWI) as well as THQ for Cd and Pb indicated that swordfish consumption did not pose a risk to human health, whereas the major concern was for Hg. Fish size-related changes in Hg concentrations resulted in high EWI and THQ values relative to larger fish consumption, implying a potential risk to human health. For consumer protection, catches of swordfish approximately above 44 kg should be avoided as these fish have a higher risk of containing toxic levels of Hg.