Assessment of the Concentration Levels of Heavy and Trace Elements in Fish Using Proton-Induced Gamma Emission

Abstract

Fish plays an essential role in Bangladesh people’s diet, being the leading and sometimes easily replaceable food of low-income households. Major and minor elements in fish are crucial for the biological process in the human body. The analyses of 18 distinct elements (Na, Mg, Al, Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Cd, I, Pb) in 6 selected fishes consumed by the people who live in the Savar region of Dhaka city in Bangladesh were conducted. The objective of the present analysis is to assess the concentration of heavy and trace elements in these fishes and provide up-to-date information if these fishes are safe to eat. The Proton-Induced Gamma Emission technique and the High Purify Germanium detector were used to detect the characteristic Gamma-rays from the target and then calculate the concentration of elements. In general, the highest concentrations range was typically found in K, Ca, and Fe, while the lowest concentrations range were found in V, Cd, and Pb. The findings were compared with the allowable limits of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA-407) and the World Health Organisation/Food and Agriculture Organization (WHO/FAO).Fish are a key source of protein for millions of Bangladeshi citizens, particularly households with low incomes, so monitoring the toxicity level of fish is very crucial. The present analysis results indicate that these fishes are not entirely free of health hazards in consumption. Further study will provide crucial information on the relationship between the concentration of elements and human health.