Di Bella, G.; Tardugno, R.; Cicero, N. Investigation of Hg Content by a Rapid Analytical Technique in Mediterranean Pelagic Fishes. Separations2018, 5, 51.
Di Bella, G.; Tardugno, R.; Cicero, N. Investigation of Hg Content by a Rapid Analytical Technique in Mediterranean Pelagic Fishes. Separations 2018, 5, 51.
Di Bella, G.; Tardugno, R.; Cicero, N. Investigation of Hg Content by a Rapid Analytical Technique in Mediterranean Pelagic Fishes. Separations2018, 5, 51.
Di Bella, G.; Tardugno, R.; Cicero, N. Investigation of Hg Content by a Rapid Analytical Technique in Mediterranean Pelagic Fishes. Separations 2018, 5, 51.
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) fish and seafood contamination is a global concern and needs worldwide sea investigations in order to protect consumers. The aim of this study was to investigate the Hg concentration by means of a rapid and simple analytical technique with direct Mercury Analyzer (DMA-80) in pelagic fish species, Tetrapturus belone (spearfish), Thunnus thynnus (tuna) and Xiphias gladius (swordfish) caught in the Mediterranean Sea. Hg contents were evaluated also in Salmo salar (salmon) as pelagic fish not belonging to the Mediterranean area. The results obtained were variable ranging between 0,015-2,562 mg kg-1 for T. thynnus specie, 0,477-3,182 mg kg-1 for X. gladius, 0,434-1,730 mg kg-1 for T. belone and 0,004-0,019 mg kg-1 for S. salar, respectively. The total Hg tolerable weekly intake (TWI) and % tolerable weekly intake (TWI%) values according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) were calculated. The results highlighted that the pelagic species caught in the Mediterranean Sea should be constantly monitored due to their high Hg contents as well as their TWI and TWI% with respect to S. salar samples.
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The commenter has declared there is no conflict of interests.
Comment:
In this study, the authors investigated the occurrence of mercury in pelagic fish found in the Mediterranean Sea. The study is of importance because of the current trend advocating Mediterranean diet. There are some aspects of the method validation the authors may want to address.
Speciation of mercury in environmental and biological samples has been shown to depend on the form of mercury being determined. The authors may want to state the exact mercury form they used as a standard (e.g. chloride, sulfide, sulfate, etc.).
The authors included the results for the linearity, detection limit and quantitation limit. They may want to include the recovery.
Commenter:
The commenter has declared there is no conflict of interests.
Speciation of mercury in environmental and biological samples has been shown to depend on the form of mercury being determined. The authors may want to state the exact mercury form they used as a standard (e.g. chloride, sulfide, sulfate, etc.).
The authors included the results for the linearity, detection limit and quantitation limit. They may want to include the recovery.