Toxic and essential elements determination in edible tissues of different elasmobranch species from Southeastern Brazil and potential human health risks

Abstract

Brazil is the largest consumer of shark meat, which is sold by fishmongers under the umbrella term cação. The population consumes this meat due to its low cost and lack of fish bones. In this work, morphometric measurements and metal/metalloid concentration (⁷⁵As, ²⁰²Hg, and ⁸²Se) were assessed in the muscle tissue of species from Dasyatis spp., as well as Rhizoprionodon porosus and Zapteryx brevirostris, obtained from Farol de São Tomé beach in Southeastern Brazil. A principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted to evaluate the separation of species based on morphometric variables and elemental concentrations. Additionally, human health risk assessment indices—estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), target cancer risk (TCR), and selenium health benefit values (HBV_Se)—were calculated to estimate the risks associated with the consumption of elasmobranch meat in the region. The PCA revealed distinct clustering patterns by species. The human health risk assessment indices indicated potential risks associated with the consumption of the analyzed species. For Dasyatis spp., the EDI of As, THQ of inorganic As (iAs), and TCR exceeded their respective thresholds. For R. porosus, the EDI of As, THQ of iAs and Se, and TCR exceeded the established thresholds. For Z. brevirostris, the EDI of As and Hg, THQ of iAs and MeHg, TCR, and HBV_Se exceeded the thresholds. These results suggest a potential risk to public health associated with the consumption of elasmobranch meat from the analyzed species, especially Z. brevirostris.