CARASSIUS AURATUS AS A BIOINDICATOR OF THE HEALTH STATUS OF LAKE TRASIMENO AND RISK ASSESSMENT FOR CONSUMERS

Authors    Roila R, Piersanti A, Valiani A, Ranucci D, Tavoloni T, Stramenga A, Griffoni F, Pittura L, Gorbi S, Franceschini R, Agnetti F, Palma G, Branciari R

Abstract    Fish are good bio-indicators of the health status of the aquatic environment and can be used as biomarkers to assess the aquatic behaviour of environmental pollutants, the exposure of aquatic organisms, and the health risk for consumers. Goldfish are a significant bioindicator in the Lake Trasimeno aquatic system (Umbria, Italy). This study aimed to characterize the health status and the chemical and biotic contamination of Lake Trasimeno to define its anthropogenic and natural pressures and the risk associated with consuming its fishery products. 114 determinations were performed on Carassius auratus samples from 2018 to 2020, and the occurrence of brominated flame retardants, non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls, heavy metals, and microplastics was analytically investigated. Dietary exposure assessment, risk characterization, and benefit-risk evaluation were performed for schoolchildren from 3 to 10 years old. Flame-retardants registered high levels of non-detects (99% for polybrominated diphenyl ether and 76% for hexabromocyclododecanes), while polychlorinated biphenyls were found in all samples with a maximum level of 56.3 ng/g. Traces of at least one heavy metal were found in all samples, though always below the regulatory limit. Microplastics were found with a 75% frequency of fish ingesting at least one particle. Dietary exposure and risk characterization reveal negligible contributions to the reference values of all contaminants, except for mercury, which reached up to 25% of admissible daily intake. The benefit-risk assessment highlighted that the benefits of freshwater fish intake outweigh the associated risks. The examination of goldfish as indicator fish reveals the quality of Lake Trasimeno’s aquatic environment and the safety of its products.

Publish Date  2023

Volume    12 (3)

ISSN        2239-7132

DOI          doi.org/10.4081/ijfs.2023.11137

URL         https://www.pagepressjournals.org/ijfs/article/view/11137

Journal    Italian Journal of Food Safety [Conference presentation: XXXI National Conference of the Italian Association of Veterinary Food Hygienists (AIVI), 2022 September 22-24, Italy]

Pages      art. n. 11137

PMID       37680319