Mercury distribution in the muscular tissue of farmed southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) is inversely related to the lipid content of tissues

Balshaw, Sita, Edwards , John , Ross, Kirstin and Daughtry, Ben (2008) Mercury distribution in the muscular tissue of farmed southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) is inversely related to the lipid content of tissues. Food Chemistry, 111 (3). pp. 616-621. ISSN 0308-8146

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Abstract

The lipid content and total mercury concentration were measured in whole tissue composites of all edible tissues of farmed southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) and each of the marketed tissue cuts of these fish (akami, chu-toro, o-toro). Despite differences in fish size, condition factor and culture time, the mercury concentrations of tissue cuts and composite samples were found to decrease with increasing lipid content at a consistent rate of −0.00476 Hg (mg/kg)/% lipid within each fish. Consequently, lipid accumulation appears to have a dilution effect on mercury already associated with fish tissues. The increased affinity of lipid for certain tissue cuts (o-toro) over that of others (e.g. akami), results in cross carcass variation in the mercury concentration of fish muscular tissue with clear implications for mercury advisory statements – the tissue sample collected for analysis is critical.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: EID: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?partnerID=yv4JPVwI&eid=2-s2.0-46049096726&md5=a78622db5ca325395e53347411598154
Keywords: Seafood; Public health; Sampling strategy; Cross carcass variation
Field of Research (2008): 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences > 0704 Fisheries Sciences > 070401 Aquaculture
11 Medical and Health Sciences > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111705 Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety
Subjects: S Agriculture > SH Aquaculture. Fisheries. Angling
Date Deposited: 20 Aug 2009 17:01
Last Modified: 28 Oct 2011 01:16
URI: https://eprints.batchelor.edu.au/id/eprint/46

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