Examination of macro and micro elements in Psetta Maksima and Solea Vulgaris from the black and North Eastern Mediterranean Seas

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the levels of essential (Ca, K, Na, Mg, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn) and non-essential (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Ni, Pb, Sr, Li, B) elements in the muscle, liver and skin of P. maxima and S. vulgaris. Analysis of variance was performed to determine significant differences among tissues. There were no significant differences in the metal concentrations among the tissues of both species with the exception of Fe and Li. The levels of essential metals such as Na, K, Ca and Mg were higher than 10 mg/kg; Fe and Cu were lower than 10 mg/kg. The results showed that the P. maksima and S. vulgaris are a good dietary source of essential nutrients. However, the concentrations of some nonessential metals in tissues of P. maksima and S. vulgaris exceeded the acceptable values for human consumption.