Bioaccumulated trace element toxicity in commercially harvested bronze whaler sharks (Carcharhinus brachyurus) of South Africa

Shark meat consumption may pose a significant risk to human health as high levels of toxic pollutants bioaccumulate in muscular tissue. Commercial harvest of Carcharhinus brachyurus meat in South Africa is estimated at 100–300 filleted tons per annum. Muscle tissue samples from 41 sharks were collec...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Food chemistry 2024-11, Vol.457, p.140081, Article 140081
Main Authors: Adebowale, Adetola, O'Riain, Justin, Rogers, Toby, Naidoo, Kristina, Dicken, Matt, Naude, Vincent
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Arsenic - analysis
Bioaccumulation
Carcharhinus brachyurus
Female
Food Contamination - analysis
Humans
Male
Marine pollution
Mercury - analysis
Polychlorinated Biphenyls - analysis
Regulatory limits
Seafood - analysis
Shark meat
Sharks - metabolism
South Africa
Trace elements
Trace Elements - analysis
Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
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Summary:Shark meat consumption may pose a significant risk to human health as high levels of toxic pollutants bioaccumulate in muscular tissue. Commercial harvest of Carcharhinus brachyurus meat in South Africa is estimated at 100–300 filleted tons per annum. Muscle tissue samples from 41 sharks were collected from the southern and eastern coastlines of South Africa in 2022 and analysed for 10 trace elements and 8 polychlorinated biphenyl congeners. All trace elements were found to be lower than the regulatory maximum limits for human consumption in most samples irrespective of shark length, sex, and sampling region. However, the estimated daily intake for Mercury and Arsenic exceeded the oral reference dose set by international agencies. The meat from this shark may be consumed due to its low toxic potential for human health, however long-term exposure to C. brachyurus meat should be avoided as it could pose detrimental health risks to consumers. •100–300 tons of bronze whaler shark fillets are consumed annually in South Africa•Sharks (n = 41) were sampled on the southern and eastern coastlines of South Africa•ICP-OES and GC-LRMS tools measured 10 trace elements and 8 PCB congeners respectively•As, Cr, and Hg concentrations exceeded the regulatory maximum limit for consumption
ISSN:0308-8146
1873-7072
1873-7072
DOI:10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.140081