Comparison of Toxic Metal, Trace Element and Macro Element Levels in Trout Cultivated in Latvia and Turkey

Abstract

The advances in technology and industry pollute water resources. Pollution occurring due to environmental pollution threatens ecosystems and humans more with each passing day. Fish oils obtained from fish cultivated in water in the Baltic countries are imported by Turkey and many other countries. In this situation, the aim was to compare the toxic metal and macro element levels in trout cultivated in Latvia with the element levels in trout cultivated in Turkey. The rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum 1792) samples used in this study had element levels (Be, B, Al, Ti, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Cd, Ba, Pb, Na, Mg, Si, K, Ca, Fe, As, Se and Sb) analyzed in heart, muscle, liver, gills, kidney, brain, intestines, gonads and tissues with an ICP-OES device. The analysis results are grouped as toxic elements (Be, Cd, Pb, Al, Ba, Ti), trace elements (Cu, Mn, Ni, Mo, Co, Si, Fe, Zn, Cr, B) and macro elements (Ca, Mg, K, Na). The analyses did not identify Be, As, Se and Sb elements in tissues. Our study determined the toxic metals in trout from both countries were not at dangerous levels; also, they were nutritional in terms of trace element and macro element levels.