Cooking process evaluation on mercury content in fish

Influência do processo de cocção no teor de mercúrio em peixes

Influência do processo de cocção no teor de mercúrio em peixes

Cooking process evaluation on mercury content in fish

Luciana Aparecida Farias^I; Déborah Inês Fávaro^II; José Osman Santos^III; Marina Beatriz Vasconsellos^IV; Artemiza Pessôa^V; Jaime Paiva Lopes Aguiar^VI; Lucia Yuyama^VII

^I Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares; Email: [e-mail]

^II Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares; Email: [e-mail]

^III CEFET - Aracaju - SE; Email: [e-mail]

^IV Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares; Email: [e-mail]

^V Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia; Email: [e-mail]

^VI Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia; Email: [e-mail]

^VII Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia; Email: [e-mail]

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated different cooking processes (roasted, cooked and fried) on total mercury (Hg) content in fish species most consumed by Manaus residents and surrounding communities, Amazon region. The results obtained for total Hg in natura and after the three types of preparation (roasted, cooked and fried) for 12 fish species showed a significant Hg concentration variation. In the present study the cooked and frying processes resulted in higher Hg losses for Pacu, Pescada, Jaraqui, Curimatã, Surubin and Aruanã fish species, most of them presenting detritivorous and carnivorous feeding habits. The higher Hg losses in the roasting process occurred for Sardinha, Aracu, Tucunaré, Pirapitinga, Branquinha and Tambaqui fish species, most of them being omnivorous and herbivorous fish species. Some micronutrients (Ca, Fe, K, Na, Se and Zn) in fish species in natura were also determined in order to perform a nutritional evaluation regarding these micronutrients.

KEYWORDS: mercury; cooking processes; fish; nutrition; micronutrients.

RESUMO

O presente estudo avaliou três diferentes processos de cocção (assado, cozido e frito) e sua relação com o teor de mercúrio total (Hg) em espécies de peixes comumente consumidas pela população de Manaus e comunidades vizinhas da região Amazônica. Os resultados obtidos para Hg total in natura (antes) e após os três tipos de preparo (assado, cozido e frito) para as 12 espécies de peixes selecionadas apresentaram uma significativa variação na concentração. Os processos de cozimento e fritura resultaram em maiores perdas de Hg para as espécies Pacu, Pescada, Jaraqui, Curimatã, Surubin e Aruanã sendo a maioria delas classificadas como espécies detritívoras e carnívoras. As maiores perdas de Hg no processo assado ocorreram para as espécies Sardinha, Aracu, Tucunaré, Pirapitinga, Branquinha e Tambaqui, a maioria classificadas como espécies omnivoras e herbivoras. Alguns micronutrientes (Ca, Fe, K, Na, Se e Zn) nas espécies de peixes in natura foram determinados com o objetivo de fazer uma avaliação nutricional em relação a esses constituintes.

PALAVRAS-CHAVE: mercúrio; processo de cocção; peixe; nutrição; micronutrientes.

Introduction

Throughout time man has been exposed to different forms of mercury (Hg), and methylmercury (MeHg) contamination. It is well known that both freshwater and sea fish consumption are directly and closely related to increases of blood and hair mercury (Hg) contents (Clarkson, 2002; UNEP, 2002; Farias et al., 2006). Furthermore, fish are culturally vital for many communities and constitute the main source of protein and other micronutrients. The highest levels of Hg are found in the predatory fish at the top of the food chain due to bioaccumulation. More than 90% of the total Hg in certain fish tissues is MeHg (US EPA, 2001; Chien et al, 2007). This poses a particular threat to public health as this toxic species of Hg is mainly accumulated in fish.

Several researchers have addressed the issues surrounding the risks and benefits associated with fish consumption. On the other hand, there is much information regarding Hg and other essential element content in several fish species, portraying the chemical composition of fish in nature. There is very little information regarding chemical composition for fish prepared for human consumption. Considering the relatively high temperature used in the different methods of cooking and the volatile characteristic of MeHg, such treatments might sometimes reduce the content of this compound. This question has been explored in a number of laboratories around the world, but there has been no consensus as to the true status of this reduction (Moretti et al., 1990; Morgan et al., 1997; Hernández-García et al., 1998; Chicourel et al., 2001). The present study evaluated the content of total Hg in natura (without any cooking process) and after different cooking processes. Three types of preparation (roasted, cooked and fried) commonly used by Manaus residents to prepare fish for consumption was tested. The purpose of this study was to assess if there were any losses of Hg due to cooking. Some micronutrients (Ca, Fe, Na, Se and Zn) in fish species in natura were also determined in order to perform a nutritional evaluation regarding these micronutrients.

Material and methods

Description of the Studied Area

Manaus, the capital of the Amazon State, is located in the north region of Brazil. It is the entrance to the Amazon region. It is also the world’s largest ecological region. Official data puts the population at 2.006.870 inhabitants (IBGE, 2009). The city is located on the Negro River banks. This river is a black water river which receives drain water from the Amazon ecosystem. It has been well documented that black water systems are subject to flooding which result in biogeochemical characteristics that favor Hg methylation in the aquatic biota (Silva-Forsberg, 1999; Fadini & Jardim, 2001).

Sampling and Sample Preparation

The fish samples were collected in October 2004 from the fishing boats that operate from the central receiving market (CEASA) in Manaus. These samples came from the Ariaú and Puraquequara lakes as well as, Autazes, Codajás, Careiro and Terra Nova counties. The quality indicators of fish and external organoleptic characteristics (eyes, gills and scales) were assessed at the time of purchase. All fish samples were prepared at the CPTA laboratory (Centro de Pesquisas em Tecnologia de Alimentos) from INPA (Amazon National Research Institute). The species evaluated were: Aracu (Schizodar sp), Aruanã (Osteoglossum bicirrhossum), Branquinha (Curimata laticeps), Curimatã (Prochilodus nigricans), Jaraqui (Prochilodus insignis sp), Pacu (Mylossoma spp), Pescada (Plagioscion spp), Pirapitinga (Piractus brachypomum), Sardinha (Triportheus elongatus spp), Surubim (Pseudoplalystoma fasciatum), Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) and Tucunaré (Cichla ocellaris spp). Three individuals of each fish species were used for the cooking process preparation. Due to the large fish size Pescada, Pirapitinga, Surubim, Tambaqui and Tucunaré were cut in slices and prepared.

All samples were cooked using the three cooking processes:

Fried - samples were wrapped in wheat flour, weighed and fried in soybean oil in a temperature of about 180⁰C. Afterwards the edible parts were separated. Salt concentration was defined in this study as 1% of the weight of each fish sample. The amount of wheat flour needed to cook the fish was 25g, sufficient for both, whole and sliced fish. Seventy five mL of soybean oil was used for frying.

Cooked - Onions, garlic, pepper, parsley and colorific were fried in about 3g of oil and then the fish added and cooked in boiling water and salt. The temperature used was about 105⁰C. After which the edible parts were separated. The amount of water used for cooking corresponded to the weight of each fish sample. Salt was added to the water before cooking (1% of the fish sample weight). The amount of colorific was 0.5g. Garlic, onion and pepper were not quantified.

Roasted - The fish, after seasoning with salt were weighed and roasted over coal during different time periods, according to the type and size of the fish. The temperature used was about 150⁰C. Afterwards the edible parts were separated. Salt concentration was 1% of the weight of each fish sample.

Once separated, the edible parts (muscle) of each fish species were pooled and then grounded, homogenized and sent for analysis at IPEN/CNEN-SP.

Total Hg determination was made by means of cold vapor atomic absorption technique (CV AAS) and Ca, Fe, K, Na, Se and Zn by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) techniques. All the results are expressed in dry weight basis.

Apparatus and reagents

All reagents were of analytical grade. High purity water, of 18 MΩ cm^-1 resistivity was obtained using Milli-Q system. The Hg stock solution (1255 mg L^-1) was acquired by dissolving HgO (Johnson Matthey Chemicals Limited) in HNO₃.

In Hg determinations, meticulous cleaning of the materials is essential. All glassware used was soaked for 24 hours in Extran 2% (v/v), and rinsed with high purity water. Next, it was rinsed with high purity water, soaked for 72 hour in 20% (v/v) HNO₃ and finally rinsed with high purity water for at least three times.

Total Hg Determination

Roughly 200 to 500 mg of pool samples for each fish species were digested with a mixture of concentrated HNO₃ and H₂SO₄ in Teflon vials. The vials were closed and left overnight at room temperature. The following day, the vials were put into an aluminum block at 90 ⁰C and left there for 3 hours. The samples were allowed to cool at room temperature and the final volume was completed to 50 mL with Milli-Q water. Total Hg determination was performed by CV AAS, using a FIMS (Flow Injection Mercury System) from Perkin Elmer (Massachusetts, USA). The analytical procedure (wet digestion) was that of Horvat (1996), with some modifications.Methodology validation for total Hg determination was carried out by means of reference material analyses Dogfish muscle (DORM-1, NRCC). The detection limit for this method was established in agreement with studies found in the literature for Hg determination (Horvat, 1996). Ten blank solutions were prepared and measured in order to establish the mean value (X) and the standard deviation (s). The detection limit was calculated using the formula (LD = X + 3s) and the value 0.5 ng mL^-1 was found. Details of the analytical methodology have already been described in a previous paper (Farias et al, 2009).

INAA determination for micronutrients

For multielemental analysis, approximately 200 mg of fish (duplicate samples) and about 150 mg of reference materials were accurately weighed and sealed in pre-cleaned double polyethylene bags, for irradiation. Single and multi-element synthetic standards were prepared by pipetting convenient aliquots of standard solutions from Assurance® Multi-Element Solution Standards (SPEX CERTIPREP, USA), onto small sheets of Whatman no 41 filter paper. Fish samples, reference materials and synthetic standards were irradiated for 8 hours, under a thermal neutron flux of 10¹² cm^-2 s^-1 in the IEA-R1 nuclear research reactor at IPEN. The elements determined by INAA were Ca, Fe, K, Na, Se and Zn. The precision and accuracy of the method were verified by measuring the reference materials Orchard Leaves (OL) (NIST SRM 1571), Tomato Leaves (TL) (NIST SRM 1573^a) and Oyster Tissue (OT) (NIST SRM 1566b). Details of the analytical methodology have already been described in a previous paper (Favaro et al, 2000).

Statistical Analysis

Kruskal-Walis test was applied to the data for median comparison (Hg results, p<0.05) in order to statistically evaluate the variations observed and if they were significant or not (level of significance 5%). The Kruskal-Walis test was applied after the Shapiro-Wilks test (p< 0.05) showed that results for Hg did not have normal distribution. In the present study we also used multivariate statistical techniques, principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminate analysis, to identify sample groups with similar chemical composition for the determined elements. The statistical analyzes were performed using the Statistica Package, Statistica Student Version 6.0. (Tulsa, OK, USA).

Results and discussion

Total mercury methodology validation

The precision and accuracy of the method for total mercury were verified by means of the reference material analysis: Dogfish Muscle (DORM-1 - NRCC). The results obtained showed good precision and accuracy with relative standard deviation of 5.4% and relative error of 0 % (Table 1).

INAA methodology validation

The precision and accuracy of the method were verified by measuring the reference materials: Tomato Leaves (TL) (NIST SRM 1573^a), Orchard Leaves (OL) (NIST SRM 1571) and Oyster Tissue (OT) (NIST SRM 1566b). The relative standard deviation ranged from 0.5 to 9.1 % and the relative error from 0 to 8.4 %, showing good precision and accuracy (Table 2).

Fish in natura results (total Hg and Ca, Fe, K, Na, Se and Zn)

The results obtained for the micronutrients and total Hg in natura (dry weight)for all of the 12 fish species in this study showed a significant concentration variation for the analyzed elements for each species (Figure 1 and 2). Carnivorous species are represented by Aruanã (Osteoglossum bicirrhossum), Surubim (Pseudoplalystoma fasciatum), Pescada (Plagioscion spp) and Tucunaré (Cichla ocellaris spp) species (Carneiro et al., 2004; IBAMA, 2010). The non-carnivorous species include the detritivorous (Branquinha (Curimata laticeps), Curimatã (Prochilodus nigricans) and Jaraqui (Prochilodus insignis sp)), herbivorous (Aracu (Schizodar sp), Pacu (Mylossoma spp) and Pirapitinga (Piractus brachypomum) (Batistellaet al., 2005) and omnivorous Sardinha (Triportheus elongatus spp) and Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) (IBAMA, 2010).

Hg concentration in natura ranged from 30 (Pirapitinga) to 2392 (Aruanã) µg kg^-1 (dry weight). Brazilian legislation (ANVISA) establishes 2 distinct limits for total Hg concentration: for carnivorous fish species (1 mg kg^-1) and for non-carnivorous species (0.5 mg kg^-1). With the exception of Surubim, all the carnivorous fish species exceeded the established limit for total Hg (1 mg kg^-1). For non-carnivorous species, the exception was Jaraqui which presented Hg levels higher than the limit (0.5 mg kg^-1) (ANVISA, 1998).

The Fe content (10 (Tucunaré) to 5340 mg kg^-1(Tambaqui)) in fish was very low for most fish species analyzed, with the exception of Aruanã, Branquinha and Tambaqui. Information on absorption and metabolism of iron in fish is scarse, but the process is generally the same as in other vertebrates (Watanabe et al., 1997).

The content of Selenium ranged from 410 (Branquinha) to 4106 (Tucunaré) µg kg^-1. Selenium is essential for both humans and animals, including fish. Preliminary studies have verified the effect of feeding habitats and trophic level in the Se accumulation (Burger et al., 2001; Barwick & Maher, 2003; Bhattacharya et al., 2003). All these studies concluded that carnivorous or piscivorous species generally present higher Se concentration in muscle tissue than omnivorous and herbivorous species. This study also found, in agreement with the literature, high Se content in the muscle tissue in Pescada and Tucunare, carnivorous species.

Muscle tissue Zn levels (15 (Tambaqui) to 430 mg kg^-1(Sardinha)) were higher for omnivorous Sardinha and herbivorous Pacu. Fish can obtain zinc from dietary sources as well as from water. The gills and gastrointestinal tract are involved in the uptake of this element (Watanabe et al., 1997). Zinc is one of the most important environmental toxicants, yet it is essential in a wide range of biological processes (Glover & Hogstrand, 2003). It places an important part in the growth, development and all living cells. It is also an essential micronutrient found in abundance in fish. It is a co-factor in metaloenzimes and regulatory proteins, including biosyntesis and DNA and RNA repair (Brabo et al., 1999).

Calcium is directly involved in the development and maintenance of the skeletal system and participates in several physiological processes (NRC, 1993). In vertebrates, Ca is complexed with P in hydroxyapatite to form the principal crystalline material of bone. The Ca requirement of fish is affected by the water chemistry and species differentiation (Lall, 2002). In the present study, Ca concentrations were widely spread (1493 (Branquinha) to 14590 mg kg^-1(Aruanã) showing the highest levels for Aruanã and Curimatã, carnivorous and detritivorous species, respectively.

Potassium, likewise sodium, is essential for normal body functions. In this study, the maximum K concentration (19187 mg kg^-1) was found in Surubim, while Na exhibits maximum concentrations of 13315 mg kg^-1 in Branquinha, carnivorous and detritivorous species, respectively.

Regarding the content of micronutrients analyzed in this study, the fish species carnivorous and detritivorous presented the higher concentrations for Ca, K, Fe and Se. The omnivorous Sardinha presented the higher concentration for Na and Zn.

Some variation in trace element content in freshwater fish species was observed. These are probably due to differences in geographical locations, season of the year, nature of fish diet and size.

Cooking process evaluation - Hg loss

The results obtained for total Hg in natura and after the three types of preparation (roasted, cooked and fried) for the 12 fish species showed a significant concentration variation for the analyzed elements: Hg (2392 to 16 µg kg^-1) (Figure 3).

According to Figure 3, the Hg losses in each one of the cooking processes ranged from: 5.8 (Pescada) to 75.4% (Aruanã) for cooked; from 5.2 (Pescada) to 70.7% (Aracu) for roasting and 15.4 (Tucunaré) to 68.5 (Aracu) for frying. The fish species that presented the highest Hg loss were Aracu (from 34 to 69%) and Sardinha (from 22 to 70%) after undergoing the 3 different cooking processes.

The cooked and frying processes resulted in higher Hg losses for Pacu, Pescada, Jaraqui, Curimatã, Surubin and Aruanã fish species. Most of these are detritivorous and carnivorous fish species. The higher Hg losses in the roasting process occurred for Sardinha, Aracu, Tucunaré, Pirapitinga, Branquinha and Tambaqui fish species. In this case most are omnivorous and herbivorous fish species.

According to the Kruskal-Walis test, the results showed a significant statistical variation for the different cooking processes (p<0.05).

The results obtained in the present study indicated that besides losses through cooking processes there is also a great variation in Hg content between the fish species analyzed.

As mentioned before it is already known that chemical constituents in fish vary between individuals of the same species in function of period and sampling site, habitat, gender, age, etc. This study also verified that carnivorous species presented higher Hg levels than non-carnivorous species. According to several studies undertaken in the region, these species present higher mercury contents than in the non-carnivorous species since they occupy the highest trophic level of the food chain. The Surubim fish (piscivorous), Aruanã fish (carnivorous), Pescada fish (piscivorous) and Tucunaré fish (carnivorous) presented the highest Hg levels exceeding the limit set by Brazilian legislation - ANVISA of 1 mg kg^-1 for total Hg in both cases for fish in natura and after cooking. For the others species analyzed total Hg levels were lower than the limit established by Brazilian legislation for non-carnivorous species (0.5 mg kg^-1), except for Jaraqui.

Contrary to the findings of the present study, some authors have observed no reduction of mercury from frying, cooking or roasting. However, the conditions of these experiments and the fish species were not exactly the same.

Chicourel et al (2001) studied the Hg distribution throughout the body of blue shark (Prionace glauca) and the effects on mercury levels by frying and baking in a laboratory and a microwave oven. According to the results there was no significant statistical difference in Hg levels in the samples taken from regions near the head, or from central and tail parts, indicating homogenous distribution of the metal in muscles throughout the body. They also concluded that frying and baking did not affect original Hg levels present in blue sharks.

Mercury losses from flesh fish after two cooking process were investigated by Limaverde Filho et al (1999). The fish species used for frying process evaluation were: Traíra (Hoplias malabaricus) and Piraíba (Brachyplatystoma SSP), both from the Amazon region. The fish species Corvina and Piraíba “Brachyplatystoma ssp” were used for baking process evaluation. Results showed losses ranging from 0 to 30% (dry weight basis). Such results indicate that fish consuming populations are not protected from mercury exposition by the studied cooking processes.

Since there is a great variability in the concentration levels of micronutrients as well as Hg between the fish species analyzed, we opted also to confirm the results using multivariate statistical techniques, principal component analysis and discriminate analysis, which aimed to identify sample groups with similar chemical composition for the determined elements.

Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the first four principal components were responsible for 76.3% of the variations in the samples. The biplot presented in Figure 4, presents the first and second principal components. As can be seen from the biplot in Figure 4, samples group themselves according to feeding habits. The carnivorous group (C) was noticeably diverse from all the other species. The piscivorous species also came up as an isolated group. Some authors consider this as a subgroup of the carnivorous species. The herbivorous, detritivorous and omnivorous groups came up as a separate, disperse group. According to the same Figure 4, it is possible to observe that the elements that discriminate the groups are Hg and Se (2^nd and 3^rd quadrants). This was not unexpected, as Se interacts with Hg and proteins, forming complexes that protect the organism from toxic effects of this metal on the kidneys, the intestines and nervous system in animals and humans.

Considering the “a priori” proposition that the samples present a chemical composition that depends on the feeding habit of the species, the next step was to perform a discriminate analysis that linearly combined the original variables in order to maximize the differences between groups while, at the same time, minimizing the variations within each group (Beharav & Nevo, 2003). Figure 5 presents the discriminate scores in the plane formed by the axes corresponding to the first two discriminate functions. It is possible to confirm the inferences already observed in the principal component analysis previously discussed. Carnivorous and piscivorous species form two distinct groups. The omnivorous group is widely dispersed and has a small superposition on the group formed by herbivorous and detritivorous species, here considered as a single group, since they present similar chemical composition in the present samples.

Conclusions

Regarding the content of micronutrients analyzed in this study, the carnivorous and detritivorous fish species presented the higher concentrations for Ca, K, Fe and Se. The omnivorous Sardinha (Triportheus elongatus spp) presented higher concentrations for Na and Zn.

In the present study, the cooked and frying processes resulted in higher Hg losses for Pacu, Pescada, Jaraqui, Curimatã, Surubin and Aruanã fish species, being most of them detritivorous and carnivorous feeding habits species. The higher Hg losses in the roasting process occurred for Sardinha, Aracu, Tucunaré, Pirapitinga, Branquinha and Tambaqui fish species, most of them omnivorous and herbivorous fish species.

For some species, Pescada, Surubim, Aruanã and Tucunaré these cooking processes were not sufficient to significantly decrease the exposure risk of this metal, as Hg values were higher than the Brazilian legislation limit of 1 mg kg^-1 for predatory fish.

Nevertheless, the results of the present study and those from the literature indicate that further studies are needed. It is important to consider Hg content variability in fish and the relationship between inorganic Hg and MeHg.

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank CAPES for financial support and the INPA Food and Nutrition Laboratory, (Amazon National Research Institute), for the fish samples.

Literature cited

Recebido em 25/03/2010

Aceito em 06/05/2010

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  03 Jan 2011
• Date of issue
  Dec 2010

History

• Received
  25 Mar 2010
• Accepted
  06 May 2010