Total Mercury and Methylmercury Content in Edible Fish from the Mediterranean Sea

2003 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 300-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. M. STORELLI ◽  
R. GIACOMINELLI STUFFLER ◽  
A. STORELLI ◽  
G. O. MARCOTRIGIANO
Keyword(s):  
European Commission ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Total Mercury ◽  
Food Additives ◽  
World Health ◽  
Expert Committee ◽  
Blue Whiting ◽  
Commission Decision ◽  
Wet Weight ◽  
The Mediterranean

The objective of this study was to determine the current levels of total mercury and methyl mercury in the muscle tissues of different fish species caught in the Mediterranean Sea to ascertain whether these concentrations exceed the maximum level stipulated by the European Commission Decision. Total mercury concentrations in the muscles of skates ranged from 0.18 to 1.85 mg/kg (wet weight) (average, 1.00 mg/kg) while levels of 0.11 to 1.92 mg/kg (wet weight) (average, 0.70 mg/kg) and 0.21 to 1.74 mg/kg (wet weight) (average, 0.70 mg/kg) were recorded for blue whiting and red mullet, respectively. For 66.7% of long nose skate samples, 61.4% of thornback ray samples, 42.8% of winter skate samples, and 38% of starry ray samples, the total mercury concentrations exceeded the prescribed legal limit (1.0 mg/kg [wet weight]). Concentrations exceeding the maximum total mercury level stipulated by the European Commission Decision (0.5 mg/kg [wet weight]) were observed in 63.6 and 40% of blue whiting and striped mullet samples, respectively. Mercury was present in the different species almost completely in the methylated form at 55 to 100%. Weekly intakes were estimated and compared with the provisional tolerable weekly intake recommended by the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives.

Total Mercury Levels in Muscle Tissue of Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) from the Mediterranean Sea (Italy)

2001 ◽  
Vol 64 (7) ◽  
pp. 1058-1061 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. M. STORELLI ◽  
G. O. MARCOTRIGIANO
Keyword(s):  
European Commission ◽  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Muscle Tissue ◽  
Total Mercury ◽  
Maximum Level ◽  
Bluefin Tuna ◽  
Thunnus Thynnus ◽  
Commission Decision ◽  
Xiphias Gladius ◽  
The Mediterranean

This study was carried out to determine the current levels of total mercury in the muscle tissue of swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) caught in the Mediterranean Sea with the purpose of ascertaining whether the concentrations exceeded the maximum level fixed by the European Commission Decision. In addition, specimens of each species were divided into different ranges of weight to investigate the influence of size on mercury accumulation in order to provide data upon which commercial fishing strategies and marketing of swordfish and bluefin tuna may be based. Higher mean levels of total mercury were found in bluefin tuna (1.02 μg g−1 wet wt) than in swordfish (0.49 μg g−1 wet wt). In 4.3% of swordfish and in 44.3% of bluefin tuna analyzed, total mercury concentrations exceeded the maximum level fixed by the European Commission Decision (Hg = 1 μg g−1 wet wt). Besides, for bluefin tuna the total mercury level variability observed, due to size, suggests that there should be greater regulatory control by the authorities.

scholarly journals Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) farmed in the Adriatic Sea

2008 ◽  
Vol 52 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 175-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Srebocan ◽  
J. Pompe-Gotal ◽  
A. Prevendar-Crnic ◽  
E. Ofner
Keyword(s):  
European Commission ◽  
Muscle Tissue ◽  
Liver Tissue ◽  
Total Mercury ◽  
Adriatic Sea ◽  
Maximum Level ◽  
Bluefin Tuna ◽  
Thunnus Thynnus ◽  
Commission Decision ◽  
Wet Weight

Levels of total mercury in the muscle (29 samples) and liver tissue (15 samples) of bluefin tuna (<i>Thunnus thynnus</i>) weighing 100&minus;300 kg were determined by cold vapour atomic absorption (AA) spectroscopy. Tunas were previously captured in the waters of Malta, towed to the farm in the Adriatic Sea and fattened with defrosted herring and sardine for the period of 6 to 7 months. The purpose of the investigation was to determine the magnitude of mercury contamination and to ascertain whether the concentrations in muscle tissue exceeded the maximum level defined by the European Commission Decision (1 &mu;g/g wet weight). Total mercury concentrations in the muscle tissue of tunas ranged from 0.49 to 1.809 (median 0.899 &mu;g/g wet weight) while in the liver tissue it was from 0.324 to 3.248 (median 1.165 &mu;g/g wet weight). Total mercury concentrations in six samples of sardine ranged from 0.050 to 0.072 &mu;g/g wet weight while two samples of herring contained 0.020 and 0.053 &mu;g/g wet weight. Twelve out of 29 (41%) muscle samples of tuna contained mercury above the maximum level defined by the European Commission Decision. It is generally believed that mercury levels in Mediterranean fish are higher than those of the other seas or oceans due to numerous deposits of mercury ores and metallic mercury in surrounding countries.

scholarly journals Characterization and Lifetime Dietary Risk Assessment of Eighteen Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids and Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid N-Oxides in New Zealand Honey

Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 843
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Pearson ◽  
Jeane E. F. Nicolas ◽  
Jane E. Lancaster ◽  
C. Wymond Symes
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids ◽  
Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid ◽  
Food Additives ◽  
Dietary Exposure ◽  
World Health ◽  
Exposure Model ◽  
Average Lifetime ◽  
Expert Committee ◽  
Dietary Risk

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are a large group of botanical toxins of concern, as they are considered genotoxic carcinogens, with long-term dietary exposure presenting an elevated risk of liver cancer. PAs can contaminate honey through honeybees visiting the flowers of PA-containing plant species. A program of monitoring New Zealand honey has been undertaken over several years to build a comprehensive dataset on the concentration, regional and seasonal distribution, and botanical origin of 18 PAs and PA N-oxides. A bespoke probabilistic exposure model has then been used to assess the averaged lifetime dietary risk to honey consumers, with exposures at each percentile of the model characterized for risk using a margin of exposure from the Joint World Health Organization and United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) Benchmark Dose. Survey findings identify the typical PA types for New Zealand honey as lycopsamine, echimidine, retrorsine and senecionine. Regional and seasonal variation is evident in the types and levels of total PAs, linked to the ranges and flowering times of certain plants. Over a lifetime basis, the average exposure an individual will receive through honey consumption is considered within tolerable levels, although there are uncertainties over high and brand-loyal consumers, and other dietary contributors. An average lifetime risk to the general population from PAs in honey is not expected. However, given the uncertainties in the assessment, risk management approaches to limit or reduce exposures through honey are still of value.

Aflatoxin M1 in Milk Products in China and Dietary Risk Assessment

2013 ◽  
Vol 76 (5) ◽  
pp. 849-853 ◽  
Author(s):  
YAODONG GUO ◽  
YAHONG YUAN ◽  
TIANLI YUE
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Cancer Risk ◽  
Probabilistic Approach ◽  
Food Additives ◽  
World Health ◽  
Assay Method ◽  
Aflatoxin M1 ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Expert Committee ◽  
Milk Products

This study was conducted to investigate the occurrence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in milk products in China using the competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method and to estimate the dietary exposure to this toxin through a probabilistic approach. Based on the exposure assessment results, a quantitative cancer potency formula developed by the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives was applied to assess the cancer risk. AFM1 was detected in 48.07% of the milk samples and 4.49% of the yoghurt samples. No samples contained AFM1 above the current regulatory limit in China. The simulated AFM1 intake (90% confidence interval) in various sex-age groups ranged from 0.023 (0.021 to 0.023) ng/kg of body weight per day for 30- to 45-year-old men to 0.382 (0.354 to 0.386) ng/kg of body weight per day for 2- to 4-year-old girls at the 99th percentile. The cancer risk of AFM1 to the general population of China was assessed to be 0.129 cancer cases per year per 108 persons at the 99th percentile. These results indicate that the health risk associated with AFM1 in milk in China is relatively low.

scholarly journals Iodine intake and iodine deficiency in vegans as assessed by the duplicate-portion technique and urinary iodine excretion

1998 ◽  
Vol 80 (6) ◽  
pp. 529-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen J. Lightowler ◽  
G. Jill Davies
Keyword(s):  
Food Additives ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Urinary Iodine ◽  
Iodine Intake ◽  
World Health ◽  
Urinary Iodine Excretion ◽  
Expert Committee ◽  
Food And Agriculture ◽  
Iodine Excretion ◽  
Health Organization

I intake and I deficiency were investigated in thirty vegans (eleven males and nineteen females) consuming their habitual diet. I intake was estimated using the chemical analysis of 4 d weighed duplicate diet collections. The probability of I-deficiency disorders (IDD) was judged from the measurement of urinary I excretion in 24 h urine specimens during the 4 d. There was wide variation in I intake. Mean I intake in males was lower than the reference nutrient intake (RNI; Department of Health, 1991) and mean intake in females was above the RNI, although 36% males and 63% females had I intakes below the lower RNI. Mean I intake in subjects who consumed seaweed (n 3) was in excess of the RNI, and approached the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (World Health Organization/Food and Agriculture Organization Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives, 1989). The probability of IDD in the group investigated was moderate to severe: three of five subgroups were classified as moderate and two subgroups were classified as severe IDD possibility. The findings highlight that vegans are an ‘at risk’ group for I deficiency. The I status of vegans and the subclinical effects of low I intakes and infrequent high I intakes on thyroid function in this group should be further studied. Our work has also raised the question of adequate I intakes in groups where cow's milk is not consumed, and has exposed a need for more research in this area.

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