Total and organic mercury, selenium and α-tocopherol in some deep-water fish species
- Autores: Cláudia Afonso, Helena M Lourenço, Cátia Pereira, Maria F Martins, Maria L Carvalho, Matilde Castro, M. L. Nunes
- Localización: Journal of the science of food and agriculture, ISSN 0022-5142, Vol. 88, Nº 14, 2008, págs. 2543-2550
- Idioma: inglés
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Resumen
BACKGROUND: Mercury is a well-known toxic element present in seafood. Nevertheless some antioxidants, like selenium, as an integral component of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase, and α-tocopherol having a protective role against it, are present as well. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the levels of total mercury (HgT), organic mercury (HgOrg), Se and α-tocopherol in some adult deep-water fish species caught off Portuguese waters. RESULTS: Levels of HgT were above EU limits in 6% of Lophius spp. and Aphanopus carbo, 2% of Lepidorhombus spp. and 70% of Helicolenus dactylopterus. HgOrg represented the major fraction (more than 84%) of HgT in all studied muscles. The selenium concentration in muscle was similar in all species (about 0.4 mg kg−1 wet weight) and the highest level of α-tocopherol (70 mg kg−1 wet weight) was found in Aphanopus carbo. CONCLUSION: The muscle of all species studied is a good source of selenium, but only can give a small contribution of α-tocopherol. Attending to the provisional tolerable weekly intake established by the WHO/FAO for methylmercury, it appears that the species studied should be consumed sparingly. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
