Determination of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd) in selected fishes by using the atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS)

This study presents a picture of accumulation of heavy metal (Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd) in selected six fish species which are sold at local wet market in Jeli, Kelantan. The samples are consist of Megalaspis sordyla (Torpedo scad), Rastrelliger kanagurta (Indian mackerel), Auxis thazard (Frigate tuna), Decapterus macrosoma (Shortfin scad), Nemipterus japonicas (Japanese threadfin beam), and Atule mate (Yellowtail scad), or locally known as 'Cencaru', 'Kembung', 'Tongkol', 'Selayang', 'Kerisi', and 'Selar Kuning' respectively. The Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) was used to identify the level of heavy metal content in these fish species. The average concentration of heavy metal content found in these species was in the range of 59.9-352.6 pg/g for copper element; 215.4-268.7 pg/g for zinc element; and 15.1-20.8 pg/g for lead element. While for cadmium, its concentration was too low as its level was below the detection limit for the AAS. In conclusion, the consumption of these fish species were generally risky and some precaution should be taken for the intake of fish species which the metal concentration detected had exceed the maximum permissible level set by Malaysian Food Regulation 1985 and FAO/WHO (1984) regulation.