title: Effect of season on heavy metal contents and chemical compositions of chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) muscle.
abstract: Seasonal variations of heavy metals concentrations and overall chemical compositions were determined in chub mackerel caught in the Southern Sea of Korea. The average mercury and lead content varied between 0.04 and 0.08 mg/kg and between 0.01 and 0.02 mg/kg, respectively. Seasonal variations were not detected in lead, but mercury displayed maximal values in winter (P < 0.05). A distinct seasonal pattern was found in crude fat content with maximal values in December and minimal values in April. Fatty acid composition showed that monounsaturated fatty acids levels were the highest in August, while polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) levels were the highest in April. The major contributing factors to the seasonal variation of PUFA amounted to 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3. The total amino acids content varied from 180.6 to 187.7 mg/g. There were no significant seasonal variations in total amounts of amino acids. Practical Application:  Mackerel (Scomber japonicus) is one of the most important fishing resources in Korea. The effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on the human body have been identified, and consequently, the intake of fish lipids has steadily increased among the human population. There have been few studies on safety and alterations in chemical composition of mackerel attributed to seasonal fluctuations. Therefore, the results presented in this study could be used to improve the safety and nutrition information available to consumers.
authors.affiliation: Experiment and Analysis Div of Yeongnam Regional Office, Animal, Plant and Fisheries Quarantine and Inspection Agency, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Lim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / Q000032:analysis; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000032:analysis; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis*; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis*; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D010473:Perciformes; D056910:Republic of Korea; D017747:Seafood; D012621:Seasons
chemical_list: D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D007854:Lead; D008628:Mercury