Determination of heavy metals (Cd, Zn, Pb, & Cu) in five selected freshwater fish species in UMK Jeli using atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS)

The aim of this study was to determine the heavy metals (Zn,Cu,Pb,& Cd) in fish muscle of five selected fish species (i.e. Haruan (Channanstriatus), Puyu (Anabas testudineus), Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), Sepat Siam (Trichogaster tricchopterus) and Catfish (Clarias macrocephalus)) caught from the University Malaysia Kelantan (UMK)'s ponds analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) and was compared with the standard permissible limit. All the result showed that, metals concentration were significant differences (p<0.05). The pattern of heavy metals among all fishes with the average concentration was Zn (20.898 μg/g)> Pb (5.289 μg/g)> Cu (2.151 μg/g)> Cd 0 μg/g). The highest mean concentration of Pb was detected in A. testudineus (6.712±0.198 μg/g.), followed by T. tricchopterus, C. macrocephalos, 0. niloticus and C. striatus with levels of Pb of 6.632±0.317 Determination of Heavy Metals (Zn, Pb, Cu & Cd) In Five Selected Freshwater Fish Species In UMK Jeli Using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer μg/g, 5.640+0.199 μg/g, 4.261±0.219 μg/g and 3.198±0.244 pg/g respectively. However, the highest concentration of Zn was found in A. testudineus (33.613±0.212 pg/g) followed by T. tricchopterus (26.37±0.446 pg/g), C. macrocephalos (18.897±0.103 pg/g), 0. niloticus (18.880±0.269 pg/g) and the C. striatus (6.723±0.029 μg/g). The highest concentration of Cu was observed for A. testudineus (4.293±0.306 pg/g), followed by T. tricchopterus (2.360±0.262 μg/g), 0. niloticus (1.970±0.231 pg/g), C. macrocephalos (1.607±0.012 pg/g) and C. striatus (0.527±0.012 pg/g). In contrast, no Cd concentrations were detected in all fish samples. The levels of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, and Cd) obtained except Pb were below Or within while Pb exceeded the limits that was set by the Malaysian Food Regulation (1985) and Food and Agriculture Organization/ World Health Organization (1989). It can be concluded that, these fishes that were obtained in this area are not save to be taken for consumption. Hence, heavy metals concentration level in freshwater fish must be monitored comprehensively and periodically with respect to the consumer health