Chemical composition and content of heavy metals in the flesh of the different marine fish species.

The aim of current studies was to determinate the levels of heavy metals like Zn, Pb, Ni and Cd in flesh of some important fish species - mackerel (Scomber scombrus); European sprat (Sprattus sprattus); horse mackerel (Trachurus mediterraneus ponticus) and bluefish (Pommatomus saltatrix). The received concentrations are analyzed and compared against the maximum levels allowed for fish, purposed for human consumption and nutritional value of fish was evaluated. The concentration of heavy metals were, measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry after digestion of the samples, using heating digester. The muscles of mackerel were characterized by the highest content of protein (19.20%), which was higher respectively with 1.4%, 6.8% and 5.31% compared with its content in horse mackerel, sprat and bluefish. The lipids in mackerel's muscles showed the highest content (18.09%) compared with its value in the muscles of horse mackerel, sprat and bluefish and it was higher respectively with 37.5%, 63.0% and 33.1%. The highest concentration of metals in the muscles of the studied fish species were determinate for Zn, and the lowest for Cd. The highest levels of Pb, Cd and Zh were found in muscles of sprat and the content of Ni was found to be highest in the muscles of horse mackerel. The examined fish were safe for human consumption, regarding the daily intake and safety aspect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]