First data on trace elements in Haliotis tuberculata (Linnaeus, 1758) from southern Italy: Safety issues.
This study evaluated for the first time the concentrations of 10 metals in wild specimens of abalone, Haliotis tuberculata (Ht) (Linnaeus, 1758) from three sites along the southern Italian coast: Gulf of Catania (CT), the Northern Coast of Messina (ME) and the harbor of Villa San Giovanni (VSG). The species is commonly found in the area and has significant commercial value. Additionally, it is long lived, thus suitable as bioindicator of the environmental monitoring. The potential human health risks due to consumption of Ht have been assessed by estimated average daily intake (EDI) and target hazard quotient (THQ) of metals, respectively. In particular arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg), selenium (Se) and vanadium (V) were quantified in the edible tissue of specimens by acid digestion of the samples and ICP-MS determination. The highest concentrations were found in CT sample area for most metals analyzed. Mean values for Pb, Cd and Hg were lower than the maximum levels (MLs) set for bivalve mollusks by Regulation (CE) no. 1881/2006 in all sites, and average intake values below the risk levels for human consumption.
Department of Veterinary Public Health, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, University of Messina, Viale Annunziata, 98168, Messina, Italy.
Francesca
F
Conte
Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy. Electronic address: ccopat@unict.it.
Chiara
C
Copat
Department of Veterinary Public Health, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, University of Messina, Viale Annunziata, 98168, Messina, Italy.
Sabrina
S
Longo
Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy.
Gea
G
Oliveri Conti
Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy.
Alfina
A
Grasso
Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy.
Giovanni
G
Arena
Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 9514 Catania, Italy.
Maria Violetta
MV
Brundo
Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy.
Margherita
M
Ferrante
D000818:Animals; D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis; D049872:Bivalvia; D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis; D002857:Chromium / Q000032:analysis; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis; D049851:Gastropoda; D007501:Iron / Q000032:analysis; D007558:Italy; D008345:Manganese / Q000032:analysis; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D017747:Seafood / Q000032:analysis; D012643:Selenium / Q000032:analysis; D012758:Shellfish / Q000032:analysis; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D002104:Cadmium; D002857:Chromium; D008345:Manganese; D003300:Copper; D007501:Iron; D008628:Mercury; D012643:Selenium; D001151:Arsenic
Abalone; EDI; Food safety; Heavy metals; THQ