Heavy metal profile in smoked Atlantic cutlass fish (Trichiurus lepturus, linnaeus 1758) from some major markets in Benin metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

The concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn), in smoked Trichiurus lepturus (Trichiuridae) from some major Markets in Benin Metropolis, Nigeria, were determined employing Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric technique, in order to ascertain their suitability for human consumption against the dearth of data regarding the metal content of such fish. The mean concentrations of metals in fish ranged from 0.118 mg/kg for Cd to 72.738 mg/kg for Zn. The mean concentration of Zn in fish ranged from 51.80 mg/kg at New Benin Market to 89.28 mg/kg at Ramat Market while the mean concentration of Cu ranged from 6.58 mg/kg at Oba Market to 9.29 mg/kg at Ramat Market. The mean concentration of Cd ranged from below detection limits at Oba and New Benin Markets to 0.31 mg/kg at Ramat Market while the mean the mean concentration of Pb ranged from 0.39 mg/kg at New Benin Market to 0.75 mg/kg at Uselu Market. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the mean concentrations of metals in fish between Markets. The toxicity quotient for heavy metals ranged from 0.271 for Cu to 2.425 for Zn. The mean concentrations of Zn, Cd and Pb in fish exceeded the Food and Agriculture Organization and Commission Regulation maximum limits for heavy metals in fish indicating that fish must be consumed with caution, to avert heavy metal poisoning.