Abstract of research

LEAD AND MERCURY AS HEAVY METAL RESIDUES IN IMPORTED CANNED FISH PRODUCTS

Saad M. S., Faten S. Hassanin and Suhair S. Eldin

Abstract

Ninety random samples of imported canned fish products represented by canned tuna, sardine and mackerel (30 of each) were purchased within their validity dates from different supermarkets located in Menoufia Governorate. Each sample was kept in a separate sterile plastic bag and transferred to the laboratory in an insulated ice box as quickly as possible. All collected samples were examined for detection of their contents of heavy metal residues to evaluate their quality according to standard legislations. The obtained results revealed that the average concentration of lead (mg\kg) in the examined samples of canned tuna, sardine and mackerel were 0.13± 0.01, 0.25± 0.01 & 0.42± 0.02 for origin (A) and 0.19± 0.01, 0.33± 0.02 and 0.51± 0.03 for origin (B). On the other hand, the mean values of the concentration of mercury (mg\kg) in the examined samples of canned tuna, sardine and mackerel were 0.49± 0.02 , 0.63± 0.03 &1.06 ±0.04 for origin (A) and 49.25± 4.39 , 66.53± 7.04 and 85.76± 8.12 for origin (B), respectively. The public health significance of such serious pollutants and some recommendations to avoid contamination of imported canned fish products were discussed.