Mercury and methylmercury bioaccessibility in swordfish

Dinoraz Velez (1) , Silvia Torres-Escribano (2) , Rosa Montoro (2)

1 Metal Contamination
2 Metal Contamination

Concentrations of mercury (Hg) in swordfish (Xiphias gladius) present a food safety problem for many countries. This study analyzes total Hg concentrations in 27 samples of swordfish and in their bioaccessible fractions (soluble concentration in gastrointestinal medium), obtained after applying an in vitro digestion method. Methylmercury (MeHg) was also determined in the bioaccessible fractions. Total Hg concentrations in the samples were 0.413–2.11 mg kg-1 wet weight (ww), with a mean value of 0.958 ± 0.475 mg kg-1 ww. 37% of the samples exceeded the Hg limit set by Spanish legislation (1.0 mg kg-1 ww). Bioaccessible total Hg concentrations were 0.166–1.72 mg kg-1 ww (0.633 ± 0.398 mg kg-1 ww), corresponding to 38–83% (64 ± 14%) of total Hg. Bioaccessible MeHg concentrations, representing 94% of the bioaccessible total Hg concentrations, were 0.164–1.53 mg kg-1 ww, with a mean value of 0.495 ± 0.319 mg kg-1 ww. Children and adults who regularly consume this product in Spain have Hg and MeHg intakes that exceed the Tolerable Daily Intake limits recommended by the FAO/WHO and USEPA. These results show the need for recommendations about swordfish consumption by population groups at risk in Spain.

Mots clés: Life Sciences

Dinoraz Velez, Silvia Torres-Escribano, Rosa Montoro. Mercury and methylmercury bioaccessibility in swordfish. Food Additives and Contaminants, 2010, 27 (03), pp.327-337. ⟨10.1080/19440040903365272⟩. ⟨hal-00573084⟩