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Human Health Risk Assessment due to the Incidence of Heavy Metals in Different Commercial Feeds Used for the Culturing of Biofloc Fish (Nile tilapia: Oreochromis niloticus)

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Abstract

Fish meat is a major and rich source of white protein; its quality is determined by the fish feed. However, the low-quality feed may contribute to a source of contamination if it does not fulfill the standard protocol. Biofloc is considered one of the most efficient, successful aquacultures, but this system is still under investigation for its efficiency and safety. Thus, current study focused on the heavy metal contamination in biofloc fish fed on different commercial feeds and human health risk analysis. Samples of extensively used three feeds (Supreme™, Hitech™, and MH-Aqua™), tanks water, and biofloc fish (gills, liver muscle) were collected for heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Pb, and Cr) analysis using atomic absorption spectrometry. An experiment was designed by dividing the fish into three groups: group 1 (Supreme™), group 2 (Hitech™), and group 3 (MH-Aqua™). A bioaccumulation factor and human health risk assessment have been calculated to measure fish and human health. Results revealed that most of the heavy metal concentration was higher (P < 0.05) in MH-Aqua™ feed compared to others. Similarly, heavy metal concentration was higher (P < 0.05) in the water of group 3, where fish was cultured on MH-Aqua™ feed. However, in the fish gills, liver, and muscle, the heavy metal concentration was significantly greater in group 3 fed on MH-Aqua™ feed, followed by group 1. Heavy metals in all feeds were positively correlated to the heavy metal concentration of the fish muscles. The bioaccumulation factor for Cu and Pb was higher in the fish liver, Cd and Cr in the case of fish gills, and least in the fish muscle. EDI and THQ values vary in all the groups, while the HI value was found lower than 1 in group 1 and group 2 but higher in group 3 fed on MH-Aqua™ feed. Strict checks and balances in formulating a diet will be helpful to progressively lower the amount of dangerous heavy metals.

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Data Availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We are thankful to the biofloc fish farm owner (Haris Awan and Saleem Qadir) for their support and hospitality.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biochemistry, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, 76080, Sindh, Pakistan

    Mahvish Jabeen Channa

  2. Department of Zoology, Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST), Mirpur, 10250, AJK, Pakistan

    Huma Ayub

  3. Department of Zoology, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur, 66111, Sindh, Pakistan

    Javed Ahmed Ujan

  4. Department of Zoology, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, 40100, Punjab, Pakistan

    Syed Sikandar Habib

  5. Department of Zoology, Islamia College University, Peshawar, 25120, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

    Mujeeb Ullah, Sobia Attaullah, Khayyam Khayyam & Khalid Khan

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  1. Mahvish Jabeen Channa
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  2. Huma Ayub
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Contributions

S.S. Habib and M.J. Channa conceived and designed the experiment. The first draft of the manuscript was written by M. Ullah and S. Attahullah. Samples collection and analysis were performed by H. Ayub and K. Khayyam. Manuscript was reviewed and edited by J.A. Ujan and K. Khan. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Syed Sikandar Habib.

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The experimental procedure was performed according to the ethical consideration of the European legislation (animals) and the study was conducted after University ethical committee approval.

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Channa, M.J., Ayub, H., Ujan, J.A. et al. Human Health Risk Assessment due to the Incidence of Heavy Metals in Different Commercial Feeds Used for the Culturing of Biofloc Fish (Nile tilapia: Oreochromis niloticus). Biol Trace Elem Res 202, 1741–1751 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-023-03767-0

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