Assessment of heavy metal concentration in fish meat of wild and farmed Nile tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus)‎, Egypt

Abstract EN

Subjection to Heavy metals is an imperative normal issue coming to fruition because of various human exercises.

The aim of this study was the assessment of some heavy metals and its possible hazards on fish and consumers.

Eighty Nile tilapia fillet samples were collected from Nile canals and markets in Menoufia, Egypt for analysis of Mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd), using atomic absorption flame.

In general, wild tilapia samples contained higher mercury, lead and cadmium than those of farm tilapia samples.

A positive correlation between heavy metals concentration and the fish size was observed, as the large sized tilapia samples had higher heavy metal residues than those of the small sized tilapia samples.

Heavy metal levels in some fish samples in our investigations exceeded the maximum permissible limits of Egyptian standards.