Heavy metal content and molecular species identification in canned tuna: Insights into human food safety

  • Authors:
    • Anna Maria Pappalardo
    • Chiara Copat
    • Venera Ferrito
    • Alfina Grasso
    • Margherita Ferrante
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  • Published online on: March 24, 2017     https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2017.6376
  • Pages: 3430-3437
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Abstract

Canned tuna in olive oil and in brine of the most popular brands sold in Italian markets were analyzed to verify the authentication of transformed products, with the aim to unveil commercial frauds due to the substitutions of high value species with species of low commercial value, and to assess the health risk of consumers related to cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) contents. Species authentication was evaluated with amplification of COI DNA barcode and confirmed the declared species. Among tested metals, Hg had the highest concentrations, followed by Cd and Pb. None of the tested samples surpassed the European regulatory limits no. 1881/2006 fixed for Hg and Pb, whereas one batch of canned tuna in olive oil exceeded standard for Cd. Risk for human health was evaluated by the metals daily intake and target hazard quotient (THQ). As a result, Cd and Pb did not exceed the toxicological reference values established by World Health Organization (WHO) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Conversely, Hg content suggests a consumption no more than once a week and a continuous surveillance of this fishery products for consumer protection.
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May-2017
Volume 15 Issue 5

Print ISSN: 1791-2997
Online ISSN:1791-3004

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Spandidos Publications style
Pappalardo AM, Copat C, Ferrito V, Grasso A and Ferrante M: Heavy metal content and molecular species identification in canned tuna: Insights into human food safety. Mol Med Rep 15: 3430-3437, 2017
APA
Pappalardo, A.M., Copat, C., Ferrito, V., Grasso, A., & Ferrante, M. (2017). Heavy metal content and molecular species identification in canned tuna: Insights into human food safety. Molecular Medicine Reports, 15, 3430-3437. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2017.6376
MLA
Pappalardo, A. M., Copat, C., Ferrito, V., Grasso, A., Ferrante, M."Heavy metal content and molecular species identification in canned tuna: Insights into human food safety". Molecular Medicine Reports 15.5 (2017): 3430-3437.
Chicago
Pappalardo, A. M., Copat, C., Ferrito, V., Grasso, A., Ferrante, M."Heavy metal content and molecular species identification in canned tuna: Insights into human food safety". Molecular Medicine Reports 15, no. 5 (2017): 3430-3437. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2017.6376