QUANTIFICAÇÃO E AVALIAÇÃO DE RISCO PELA PRESENÇA DE ELEMENTOS INORGÂNICOS EM DIFERENTES AMOSTRAS DE ATUM ENLATADO

Abstract

The quantification of mineral elements in canned fish has been the subject of studies in several countries in recent years. However, in some regions of Brazil, research involving the quantification of metals in canned fish is scarce and not carried out periodically. High exposure to heavy metals and metalloid elements has confirmatory negative effects on human health and that this type of contamination poses a potential health risk to consumers. Health risk assessments based on the quantification of elements in samples of canned fish can indicate the levels of traces and toxic heavy metals in food portions, to verify possible risks of contamination and damages to the health of the consumer. The research aimed to quantify the elements Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn and to carry out a risk assessment of inorganic elements in different samples of canned and commercialized tuna in Brazil. The analysis of macro and microelements of samples of canned tuna, preserved in oil or vegetable broth, were quantified by ICP OES after microwave digestion. The levels of Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, Se and Zn were quantified, while the analyzes of Cd, Co, Cr, Ni and Pb showed levels below the detection limit in all samples. As, which is a toxic metal, was present in all samples. Al was the main pollutant quantified in canned tuna, presenting a high result in the Pollution Index equation. Heavy metal pollution of the sea is a less visible and direct type of pollution compared to other forms of contamination, but its effects on marine ecosystems and human health are intense. This study updates the data on the levels of metals present in canned tuna sold in Brazil, providing information on the risk of metal contamination through this type of product.