INTAKE OF ESSENTIAL AND TOXIC ELEMENTS AND MICROBIAL LOAD OF COMMON FROZEN FISHES CONSUMED IN AKURE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

There is a dearth of information on the dietary intake of essential, toxic elements and microbial load of commonly consumed frozen fishes, hence, this study was conducted to determine the proximate, elemental and, microbial composition of frozen samples of Chub mackerel, Sardine, Hake, Croaker and, Atlantic horse mackerel obtained from four markets in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. The fish species examined contained appreciable concentrations of protein which ranged from 15.19% in Chub mackerel to 21.75 % in Atlantic horse mackerel. The ash and moisture content suggest that the fish species are a good source of minerals and a veritable medium for microbial proliferation respectively, while, the crude fat value ranging between 0.16 % in Atlantic horse mackerel to 0.27 % in Hake showed that they are lean fat fishes. The Estimated Dietary Intake (EDI) of the macro and microelements analysed in the fish species (except for phosphorus) fell short of the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) that were established by the Institute of Medicine. Also, the EDIs of lead (1-2μg/day), arsenic (4-8μg/day) and cadmium (0.3-0.6μg/day) were below the tolerable limits. The determination of the target hazard quotient (THQ) for six potentially toxic elements (Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Pb and Cd) in the fish species also showed that there is no level of concern that could emanate from the ingestion of these elements through the consumption of these fish species. However, the concentrations of lead, arsenic and cadmium exceeded the maximum limits set for these elements in foods, and this consequently poses a long term risk as a result of the bioaccumulation and biomagnifications of these toxic elements in the body.The microbiological assessment revealed that these fish species had low bacterial and fungal loads. However, due to the isolation and identification of pathogenic organisms, they are good source of food borne illnesses such as aspergillosis, nausea, and diarrhoeal infections.