Assessment for possible metal contamination and human health risk of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (Sauvage, 1878) farming, India

Abstract

Pangasianodon hypophthalmus commonly known as pangas or pyaasi in India, the total aquaculture production, catfish particularly Pangasius is receiving popularity. Cultured fishes may absorb dissolved trace metals from its feeding diets and/or habitat leading to the accumulation in various tissues. Irrespective of the source, the potential bioaccumulation of heavy metals in fish to a degree that may constitute a potential threat to human health when ingested is of great concern. Therefore, unregulated culture of P. hypophthalmus may have ecological implications if its culture continues without any precautionary and contaminant measures. We have determined the concentrations of heavy metals in P. hypophthalmus in order to evaluate the possible risk of consumption. Copper, lead, nickel, cadmium, chromium, and zinc were estimated in the muscles of fish. Health index (HI) for all observed metals for the fishes from market was 1.2531, while it was 0.1687 in the fish cultured locally in Lucknow. The value of HI was more than one in fishes examined from the market suggesting that it may cause health risks.