title: Trace elements in Thunnus thynnus from Mediterranean Sea and benefit-risk assessment for consumers.
abstract: Trace elemental levels were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry in muscle, eggs and sperm of 23 Thunnus thynnus fishes collected from May to August 2013 in the Mediterranean Sea. Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu, Cr, Ni and Se content was compared with Recommended Daily Allowances. Cd, Hg and Pb concentrations were below the maximum limits fixed by the European Legislation. Tuna food safety was evaluated considering Tolerable Weekly Intake (TWI) or Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake for As, Hg, Cd and Pb. Only BMDL01 data for As and Pb were calculated as established by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committed on Food Additives. The daily consumption of fresh tuna ensures a good intake of these elements. None of the tested samples surpassed the European maximum limits. Cd, Hg and Pb remained within safety margins, while As is slightly higher than the provisional TWI.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Environment Safety, Territory Food and Health Sciences "Carmelo Abbate" , University of Messina , S. Agata , Messina , Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppa
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Bella
authors.forename: Angela Giorgia
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Potortì
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lo Turco
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bua
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Licata
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cicero
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dugo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D004531:Eggs / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005506:Food Contamination; D005513:Food Inspection / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D008522:Mediterranean Sea; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000737:chemistry; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009753:Nutritive Value; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017747:Seafood / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis* / Q000592:standards; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000737:chemistry; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis*; D014413:Tuna / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014131:Trace Elements; D002104:Cadmium; D007854:Lead; D008628:Mercury; D001151:Arsenic
keywords: BMDL01; heavy metals; trace elements