ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION OF TILAPIA, SALMON, AND CATFISH IN UNITES STATES OF AMERICA MARKET: HEALTH AND NUTIRITIONAL ASSESMENT AND HEALTH BENEFIT VALUE OF SELENIUM (HBVse )

The aquaculture industry has experienced rapid growth in an era of health-conscious consumers who consider seafood a healthy alternative to red meats. Elemental food composition data can help the aquaculture industry to improve nutritional value of fillet through dietary intervention. Composition data also can be used for compliance with regulation concerning quality, safety, and labeling and to identify potential contribution of food to diet. Fish has been acknowledged as an essential component of a well-balanced diet and is an important source of minerals. Minerals such as Zinc, Magnesium, Copper, and Selenium are critical part of enzymes that are important for several vital biological processes. However, high concentration of some micronutrients can cause toxicity. Also, there is concern in regards to mercury and other heavy metals exposure due to fish consumption that can counteract the beneficial effects of fish consumption. Mercury in edible portion of fish is mainly present as methylmercury (CH₃Hg) which is highly toxic and have adverse health effect if it is consumed in large quantities. Health benefit value of Se (HBVse) is a risk assessment criterion that has been recently developed that enable concurrent consideration of CH₃Hg exposures and dietary Se intake. HBVse shows both absolute and relative amount of Se and Hg in the diet. Positive HBVse is an indication of no health risk.

In this study, a total of 34 fresh and frozen samples of the commercial catfish, tilapia and salmon available in the USA market were analyzed for levels of As, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mb, Mn, Na, Pb, Se, and Zn. Samples were purchased from Mid-Atlantic, Midwest Northeast, and Southwest regions of USA. Data regarding type of culture (wild caught vs farmed), country of origin, price and fish condition was recorded upon the purchase if available. HBVse was also calculated for each species of fish. Finally, contribution of each element form consumption of this fish in Dietary Reference Intake was calculated per serving (100 g). Fillet samples were digested using microwave assisted acid digestion and minerals were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Methodology was verified by analysis of DORM-4 which is a fish protein standard reference material for trace element analysis. Samples had variable prices based on the region, grocery market, species of fish and types of culture (wild versus farmed). This study shows available catfish, salmon and tilapia in USA market are good source of essential elements. These species do not pose any health risk problem to consumers. All the species analyzed had positive HBVse and mean total mercury level of less than 0.3 ppm. This shows these fish do not pose any health risk associated with mercury toxicity for consumers. This study can help to complete the database regarding level of minerals in commercial fish in USA market.  It also confirms the importance of promoting the consumption of fish. Similar studies should be conducted primarily to monitor other quality parameters and other contaminants to better understand the risks and benefit associated with fish consumption.