Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Concentration in Cold Smoked Mullet Fish (Mugil cephalus)

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to determine the concentration and risk assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in cold-smoked mullet fish samples which were pre-frozen at -18°C for 6 months. Fish samples were obtained from two fish farms; A (Al-Batts drain) and B (El-Wadi drain), El-Fayoum governorate, Egypt. 16 components of PAHs concentration were determined by GC-MS. Results showed that the total concentration of PAHs recorded16.2 and 7.4 ppb sample of A- and B-smoked mullet fish products, respectively. Also, levels of Benzo [a] Pyrene (B {a} P) equivalent were 0.0378 and 0.029 ppb in A and B-products, respectively. Besides, content of Low molecular weight (LMW) components was higher in A-smoked mullet product than medium MW and vice versa in case B-smoked product however, high MW was not detected in products. In conclusion, PAHs concentration in smoked products processed from pre-frozen mullet samples for 6 months at -18°C are considered a minimally contaminated (16.2 ppb) for A-smoked product and not contaminated (7.4 ppb) for B-smoked product compared with recommended levels. In addition to the component of Benzo [a] Pyrene (B {a} P) was not detectable in all smoked fish products.