Abstract:
Fish is a very important source of protein readily available for human nutrition. Fish
consumption is recommended because of its nutritional benefits. Diet has been a major source
of contamination by heavy metals in man. There is a necessity to regularly monitor the levels
of heavy metals in fish available for consumption. This study aimed to assess the level of
heavy metals Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Cr and the possible health risk to humans in some selected
imported frozen fish in Akure, Ondo state Nigeria. Heavy such as: Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Cr
were analysed in fish samples (Trachurus trachurus, Clupea harengus, Scomber scombrus,)
using atomic absorption spectrophotometer after acid digestion pretreatment. Variations
occurred in the accumulation of heavy metals concentrations between head and muscle
section across the fishing zone such as; UK, Russia, Holland and Norway. ANOVA and Post
hoc (Tukey) multicomparison show that there are significant differences (P<0.05) between
the head and muscle as well as their fishing. The means concentrations of heavy metals
analyzed, Trachurus trachurus,(Fe 68.00,Cu 63.07,Ni 4.00, Cr 10.30, Cd 11.33, Pb 1.53)
Clupea harengus,(Fe 62.67,Cu 65.00,Ni 21.33, Cr 8.05, Cd 7.67, Pb 0.00 ) Scomber
scombrus,( Fe 87.67,Cu 6.67,Ni 20.67, Cr 11.05, Cd 10.00, Pb 1.60) showed higher
concetration of heavy metals accumulations in the order of : Fe >Cu >Ni > Cr > Cd> Pb, and
were above the recommended safety limits outlined by various standard organization such as
WHO,NAFDAC, and FAO. However, the consumer’s health risk with the consumption of
fish shows that there are greater tendencies for Cadmium exposure. Also consumption of
these species with their head may lead to taking some heavy metals above the recommended
daily intake and might lead to ingestion of heavy metals at unacceptable concentrations.
