European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

HEAVY METALS ACCUMULATION IN SOME FRESHWATER FISH SPECIES OF AGRA REGION, INDIA

Geeta Singh* and Anoop Kumar

ABSTRACT

Fish are a valuable source of high-grade protein and nutritious component of the human diet and occupy an important position in the socio-economic conditions of south Asian countries. Fish constitutes a major source of heavy metals in food. Five most commercially important fresh water fish species were collected from different fish markets of Agra city and analyzed for the metals (Pb, Cd and Hg). The metal concentration was evaluated using a Perkin Elmer AA analyst 100 atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Wet digestion method was used for analysis of metals with nitric acid and sulfuric acid. The metal concentrations ranges of Pb, Cd and Hg detected were 0.02-18.0, 0.05- 21.0 and 0.01-26.0 g kg-1respectively. The highest concentrations were detected for all metals in summer followed by winter and rainy seasons. The present study showed that the levels of metals are different in different fish species but within the maximum residue levels recommended at National and International standards.

Keywords: Metals, Accumulation, Fish species, Wet digestion method.