Essential and toxic elements in sustainable and underutilized seafood species and derived semi-industrial ready-to-eat products. (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ferraris, Francesca; Iacoponi, Francesca; Raggi, Andrea; Baldi, Francesca; Fretigny, Murielle; Mantovani, Alberto; Cubadda, Francesco
• Is Part Of: Food and chemical toxicology. Volume 154(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: Sustainability -- Fish -- Food safety -- Nutrition -- Trace elements -- Methylmercury -- Risk assessment; Toxicology -- Periodicals; Food poisoning -- Periodicals; Food Poisoning -- Periodicals; Toxicology -- Periodicals; Toxicologie -- Périodiques; Intoxications alimentaires -- Périodiques; Food poisoning; Toxicology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 615.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2021.112331
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0278-6915

Abstract

Abstract: Blue whiting ( Micromesistius poutassou ), pouting ( Trisopterus luscus ) and common dab ( Limanda limanda ) are underutilized fish species attractive in terms of sustainability. However, there is limited information about their nutritional characteristics as well as potential presence of environmental contaminants. Specimens caught in European waters were characterised for their content of essential and toxic elements. The three species, along with common carp and blue mussels, relevant for sustainable production too, were employed as raw materials for the development of semi-industrial ready-to-eat products. Calcium, copper, iodine, iron, selenium, zinc, cadmium, lead, mercury, and nickel were determined by ICP-MS, whereas methylmercury was determined by HPLC-ICP-MS. These two techniques were also used to determine arsenic and inorganic arsenic, respectively, in blue mussel and derived products. Differences in element contents were related to the biology and ecology of the examined species. Intake of nutrients and exposure to contaminants were assessed in relation to the relevant DRVs and HBGVs, respectively. All the species were found to be valuable dietary sources of selenium. Pouting was rich in iodine and mussels were good sources of iodine and iron. These two species had comparatively higher levels of mercury and lead, respectively. However, the levels of contaminants were generally of no concern in both raw materials and products. Iodine bioaccessibility was studied in blue whiting, a species with an intermediate iodine content, and found to be 98%. Selenium:mercury molar ratios were assessed and found to be favourable. The semi-industrial products were found to be good sources of selenium and many of them provided appreciable amounts of calcium, iron, copper and zinc. Highlights: Blue whiting, pouting and common dab are sustainable and underutilized fish species. The content of essential and toxic elements in these species was characterised. Derived RTE products, also containing carp and mussels, were characterised as well. The intake of nutrients was assessed in relation to the relevant DRVs. The exposure to contaminants was assessed in relation to the relevant HBGVs.