The concentrations of toxic elements in tuna (Thunnus albacares) caught in Quy Nhon sea, Binh Dinh province analyzed by total relection X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy

Abstract

Tuna (Thunnus albacares) contains omega-3 fatty acids that help improve heart health and reduce cholesterol. Yellowfin tuna also has high protein content and low calories. However, some harmful elements, if present in large quantities in tuna meat, could affect consumers’ health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), four elements including arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) are classified as toxic elements in category A. This paper presents the use of total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (TXRF) to analyze the concentration of these elements in the fresh muscle tissue of tuna collected at Dam Market, Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh Province. The results showed that the concentration of toxic elements in the fresh tuna muscle samples were: As (inorganic arsenic compounds): 0.05 ± 0.02 mg.kg-1 , Cd: 0.03 ± 0.01 mg.kg-1 , Pb: 0.08 ± 0.02 mg.kg-1. As stated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the estimated daily intake (EDI) allowances for the above elements were as follows: As (inorganic arsenic compounds), Cd, Pb, and Hg should not exceed 0.3, 1.0, 0.4 and 0.3 µg.kg-1 body weight/day, respectively. The calculated EDIs in this observation were: i/ As inorganic arsenic compounds for adults: 0.037 µg.kg-1 body weight/day, children: 0.133 µg.kg-1 body weight/day ii/ Cd: adults: 0.022 µg.kg-1 body weight/day, children: 0.080 µg.kg-1 body weight/day. iii/ Pb for adults: 0.059 µg.kg-1 body weight/day, children: 0.21 µg.kg-1 body weight/day. Similarly, for Hg, the average concentration in this observation was below the lower limit of detection and permissible value. The EDI was lower than the reference value in most studied tuna samples (93%), specifically for adults: 0.081 µg.kg-1 body weight/day, children: 0.293 µg.kg-1 body weight/day. There were 2 samples that exceeded the European food safety standards, with levels of 0.523 µg.kg-1 body weight/day and 0.877 µg.kg-1 body weight/day. Therefore, the analysis results of the concentration of four toxic elements in tuna samples purchased at Dam Market, Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh Province showed the safety for consumers and could meet the European food safety standards.