Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Fresh and Smoked Body Parts of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) and the Possible Risks to Human Health

Abstract

The study investigated levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in fresh and smoked body parts of Clarias gariepinus in Nigeria. Effect of smoking on the PAHs level was also considered. The mean PAHs concentration ranged from 0.0005 µg/kg [indeno (1,2,3-cd)pyrene] to 2.24 µg/kg (fluoranthene, pyrene) and 0.0009 µg/kg [indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene] to 10.2 µg/kg (pyrene) for fresh and smoked fish samples respectively. Total PAHs concentrations in the fresh parts were in the order: HF > MF > LF, whilst the smoked showed LS > HS > MS. Results also revealed TPAHs levels in the smoked fish were 70–80% times higher than the fresh. Significantly high accumulation of PAHs was found in smoked parts as compared to fresh. Values of PAHs levels in the fish were below EU-regulatory limits (30 µg/kg) for PAHs. Risk associated with the samples revealed no potential cancer and mutagenic risks.

Keywords:

• Fish
• fresh
• gas chromatograph
• polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
• smoked

Additional information

Funding

The research was funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TetFund).