Total Arsenic Content in Seafood Consumed in Portugal

Abstract

Marine organisms are known to accumulate arsenic (As) in the range of 1–100 mg kg⁻¹ from their environment and food sources. The majority of arsenic is present as organoarsenic compounds, metabolized from inorganic arsenic present in seawater or accumulated from food sources such as algae or other fish. The aim of this study was to evaluate total arsenic content in the muscle of eight fish species, three cephalopods, and one crustacean consumed in Portugal. The measurement of total arsenic (10 individuals of each species) was carried out by EDXRF (Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Method). The highest concentrations were found in Norway lobster (30.3 ± 8.7 mg kg⁻¹ wet weight), followed by common octopus (25.9 ± 8.4 mg kg⁻¹ wet weight). Within fish species, wild gilthead sea bream, anglerfish, and megrim species presented values around 12 mg kg,⁻¹ and in the others the average was lower than 10 mg kg⁻¹. Taking into consideration the tolerable daily intake recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO; 0.05 mg As kg⁻¹ body weight), the obtained results of total arsenic in the studied species do not represent a hazard for human consumption.

KEYWORDS:

• arsenic (As)
• fish
• cephalopods
• crustacean
• Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF)

This work was supported by the project 22-05-01-FRD-00041 “Benefícios e perigos associados aos produtos da pesca (BENPER),” PO Mare.