Quantification of selected heavy metals in commonly consumed marine fish and seafood in Malaysia

This study was conducted to evaluate selected heavy metals on two different marine fish species which included Pampus argenteus and Megalaspis cordyla species and three seafood species which included Loligo sibogae, Fenneropenaeus indicus and Scylla serrate species. The study aimed to determine the concentrations of heavy metal Fe, Cu, As, Cd and Pb in whole body of these species which were collected from different sites (Kedah and Selangor). Samples were collected and freezed, dried and digested in the laboratory to determine the concentration of heavy metals by using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results showed that the highest concentration level of Fe (60.59 ± 3.44 μg/g), Cu (34.00 ± 2.80 μg/g), As (72.14 ± 7.77 μg/g), Cd (5.11 ± 0.62 μg/g) was found in Scylla serrate species from Kedah whereas highest concentration level of Pb was found in Fenneropenaeus indicus species collected from Kedah. In Selangor, highest concentration of Fe (149.40 ± 2.15 μg/g) and Cu (25.69 ± 2.04 μg/g) were found in Megalaspis cordyla species. Whereas, Scylla serrate species from Selangor were shown the highest composition of As (41.51 ± 0.26 μg/g) and Cd (0.97 ± 0.02 μg/g). The concentration of Pb level was highest in Fenneropenaeus indicus species from Selangor. From this study, it was discovered that Fe, Cu, Cd and Pb concentrations in the marine fish and seafood from both places were lower than the maximum limit recommended by the FAO/WHO 1984 and Malaysian Food Regulation 1985. Meanwhile, non-essential element namely As recorded higher values than that of the recommended concentrations especially in seafood species.