Organ-specific accumulation of toxic elements in Hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha) from Bangladesh and human health risk assessment

Abstract

Purpose: We aimed to determine the amount of some toxic elements in three organs of Hilsa shad, focusing on the possible exposure to human health through Hilsa consumption. This study was designed to determine the concentration of seven toxic trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in three distinct organs (n = 21) (muscle, liver, and gills) of Hilsa shad (Tenualosa ilisha) fish collected from the Bangladeshi coastal area. The samples were digested following a microwave digestion. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer was used as analytical instrument. Estimated daily intakes (EDI) and target cancer risk (TR) were used to evaluate carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk. Results: The mean concentrations (mg/kg-wet weight) of toxic elements in different organs of T. ilisha were determined as follows: in muscle, As (4.05), Cd (0.09), Cr (0.12), Cu (0.77), Ni (0.26), Pb (0.20), and Zn (10.64); in liver, As (2.83), Cd (0.84), Cr (0.18), Cu (6.17), Ni (0.55), Pb (0.23), and Zn (30.16) and in gills, As (3.45), Cd (0.05), Cr (0.08), Cu (1.06), Ni (0.51), Pb (0.78), and Zn (35.21). The liver showed higher concentrations of most elements than that of muscle except for As. Concentration of As, Cd, and Pb in the fish were found above the food safety guidelines, while other trace element concentrations were below the permissible range for human consumption. According to EDI and TR values, there were carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks from exposure to total As concentration from Hilsa fish consumption. Conclusion: This study suggests that the toxic trace elements contamination levels in Hilsa fish from Bangladesh’s coastal area need to be monitored on a systematic and regular basis to ensure the safety of this food item for human consumption.