Zinc, aluminium, tin and Bis-phenol a in canned tuna fish commercialized in Lebanon and its human health risk assessment.

Studies indicate that the soil, water and consequently foodstuffs in Serbia are significantly poor in zinc (Zn), and thus, it is likely that there is a Zn deficiency in the Serbian population. This study examined the Zn status in multiple clinical samples, including body fluids (serum, cerebrospinal fluid), whole blood and Zn-rich solid tissues (thyroid and brain tissue). Differences between sex and age were also considered, and comparative analysis of Zn status with other world populations was performed. Serum samples from a large number of Serbian adults approximately had twofold lower Zn amounts when compared to other populations. A similar trend was obtained for whole blood. Males had significantly higher amounts of Zn in serum, whole blood and thyroid tissue samples than females. Higher amounts of Zn were observed in the group older than 50 years. Importantly, in thyroid and brain tissues, Zn was 10- and 20-fold lower, respectively, than reported in the literature. Our results indicate that the population in Serbia could be considered Zn deficient. Therefore, adequate oral Zn supplementation and/or foodstuff fortification should be considered to prevent the deleterious effects caused by Zn deficiency.

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Possible zinc deficiency in the Serbian population: examination of body fluids, whole blood and solid tissues

The aim of this study was to provide a quantitative exposure assessment to essential elements through the consumption of canned fish in Serbia. This objective was fulfilled by analyzing content of essential elements in canned fish and by using data from a food consumption survey. Consumption survey of canned fish was designed and performed to general principles and EFSA guidelines on data collection of national food consumption. The questionnaire was performed on 1,000 respondents during 2018. Determination of copper, zinc and iron levels were performed on 454 canned fish and seafood samples divided into four groups (canned tuna, canned sardines, canned other sea fish and canned seafood) during five consecutive years (2014–2018). This study showed significant association between sex, BMI and weight and consumption patterns. Obtained average weekly consumption of canned fish confirms our assumption that consumption of canned fish is significant in Serbia. Zinc and iron were found in all 454 samples (100%), and copper in 222 samples (48.9%). The average obtained concentration in all samples were 1.268 mg kg–1 for Cu, 5.661 mg kg–1 for Zn and 9.556 mg kg–1 for Fe. The highest concentration for all three minerals were found in canned sardines (Cu — 6.49 mg kg–1, Zn — 37.2 mg kg–1 and Fe — 21.8 mg kg–1). Obtained mean exposure to intake of copper, zinc and iron from canned fish was 1.2241 μg/kg bw/day, 5.4634 μg/kg bw/day and 9.2231 μg/kg bw/day, respectively. Exposure of Serbian population to zinc, copper, and iron through consumption of canned fish is less than recommended daily reference intakes and there is no risk of reaching toxic levels by consuming fish.

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Exposure assessment to essential elements through the consumption of canned fish in Serbia

The aim of this study was to determine the levels of Zn, Cu, and Fe in three canned fish species marketed Serbia to see if they meet recommended daily intake requirements or exceed safety limits. We collected a total of 207 samples of canned tuna, sardine, and mackerel, in oil or tomato sauce and analysed them with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after acid digestion. The highest levels were obtained for Zn (15.1 mg kg-1) and Cu (1.37 mg kg-1) in sardine in oil and tomato sauce, respectively, and for Fe (18.98 mg kg-1) in mackerel in tomato sauce. Our results keep within the ranges reported by several national food databases and available literature data, with a few exceptions. Our findings also single out canned sardines as the richest source of the three essential elements combined. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of the three essential elements, however, was subpar, and ranged between 0.14 % and 0.72 % of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for Zn, Cu, and Fe.

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Jelena Babic-Milijasevic

Papers

Canned sea fish marketed in Serbia: their zinc, copper, and iron levels and contribution to the dietary intake.