Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) determination in Asian Swamp Eel, (Monopterus Albus) collected from paddy field in Pasir Mas and Bachok, Kelantan

Monopterus albus is a common fish that was found in paddy field and therefore, it is fit to be used as biomonitor for heavy metals pollution in paddy field. The aim of this study is to determine the concentration of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in the organs of Monepterus albus collected from paddy field in Pasir Mas and Bachok, Kelantan. The heavy metals concentration in the organs of the Monopterus albus was determined by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Among the selected organs, bone had the highest levels of Cd and Pb (0.1584 and 0.0462 µg/g) for paddy field in Pasir Mas while for Bachok was (0.0358 and 0.1302 µg/g) respectively. Meanwhile, muscle showed the lowest total metal accumulation for both metal where the concentration of Cd (0.0188 and 0.016 µg/g) and for Pb (0.0314 and 0.0264 µg/g) at Pasir Mas and Bachok respectively. The levels of Pb and Cd in the muscle of swamp eel was lower than permissible limit set by WHO/FAO and Malaysian Food Regulations (MFR) but for liver and gills, it exceeds the limits set by both organizations. The permissible limit is 2 for WHO/FAO for both metals while MFR, the limit set is 2 for Pb and 1 for Cd. The result for the level of Cd in water sample from both site showed that it is lower than permissible limit, which is 0.003mg/L. While for Pb, (0.2611 and 0.0682 mg/L) exceed the limits set by WHO which is 0.01mg/L. For the target hazard quotient (THQ), the concentration values of Pb and Cd were below one in the muscle. Thus, humans can still consume the muscle of swamp eel. This study suggests that Monopterus albus collected from paddy fields in Pasir Mas and Bachok are safe for human consumption.