Teresina Nevigato

Seasonal changes in meat content, condition index and chemical composition of mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) cultured in two different Italian sites

Seasonal changes, occurring during a 1-year period, in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis), cultivated in long-line plants in two different Italian sites, one off the northern Adriatic coast and the other in a sea lake along the Central Tyrrhenian coast, were investigated. Biometric parameters, percent meat and intervalval fluid contents, Condition Index, proximate composition and lipid profile of mussels were studied. The low meat content and Condition Index values registered in December, in mussels from the Adriatic site (142.0±9.9), and in September, in mussels from the Tyrrhenian sea lake (126.0±2.3) were coincident with the depletion of glycogen and lipid reserves. Gas chromatographic analysis of total lipids showed the prevalence of polyunsaturated fatty acids (37–48% of total fatty acids) over the saturated (26–38%) and monounsaturated (16–29%) ones throughout the year. Seasonal fluctuations of vitamin A, vitamin E, cholesterol, phytosterols and carotenes levels, in mussels from either site, were detected by high performance liquid chromatography.

New trends in the seafood market. Sutchi catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) fillets from Vietnam: Nutritional quality and safety aspects

Sutchi catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) produced in the freshwater basins of Vietnam, available on the Italian market as frozen or thawed fillets, were studied for their nutritional quality and safety aspects. Proximate composition, mineral content, fatty acid profile, unsaponifiable components of the lipid fraction and drip loss during thawing at 5°C were determined on the fillets. Fillets were characterised by high moisture levels (80-85%) and low protein (12.6-15.6%) and lipid (1.1-3.0%) contents. Total lipids were characterised by low cholesterol levels (21-39mg/100g), high percentages of saturated fatty acids (41.1-47.8% of total fatty acid) and low percentages of polyunsaturated fatty acids (12.5-18.8% of total fatty acids), which were mainly represented by linoleic acid (44-59% of total polyunsaturated fatty acids). The mineral composition was characterised by a high sodium content (222-594mg/100g), probably partially due to the sodium tripolyphosphate (E 451) used to retain moisture. As regards safety aspects, the quality of the samples analysed was good, with low residue levels of mercury, organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls.

Sequential solid-phase extraction with cyanopropyl bonded-phase cartridges for trace enrichment of PCBs and chlorinated pesticides from water samples

SummaryGas chromatography of polychlorinated biphenyls and chlorinated pesticides in water samples has been performed after adsorption from a 50–250 mL sample on to a cartridge containing 100 mg cyanopropyl-bonded porous silica. The PCBs are desorbed with 500 μL ethyl acetate, which is concentrated and analysed by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection (GC-ECD).The average recovery of 1 ppb PCB congeners at from distilled water and from Marta river water is ≥95% (standard deviation ≤2.5). The average recovery of 20 ppb Aroclor 1260 from Marta river water was ≥91% (standard deviation ≤3.5).In the separation of the PCBs from the chlorinated pesticides only aldrin, heptachlor and 4,4′-DDD are adsorbed with the PCBs by the CN Sep-Pak cartridge. The method proposed is rapid, simple and reproducible.

Separation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls from Chlorinated Pesticides Using Aminopropyl Bonded-Phase Cartridge and Determination by GC-ECD

SummaryGas chromatography of polychlorinated biphenyls and chlorinated pesticides in water samples is carried out after adsorption from a 25–500 mL sample, on a cartridge containing 100 mg aminopropyl-bonded porous silica. The clean-up step in which the PCBs and chlorinated pesticides are separated in different eluates is achieved by passing 25 mL of 40% aqueous methanol through the NH2 Sep-Pak cartridge. The PCBs are desorbed with 500 μL ethylacetate, which is concentrated and analysis by GC-ECD. The average recovery, at 1 ppb is >97% with a standard deviation <2. The limits of detection are 0.1 ng μL−1 and 5 pg μL−1 respectively for Cl3-PCB and Cl8-PCB congeners. In the separation of PCBs from the chlorinated pesticides tested in this work, only the Aldrin is adsorbed for 60% with the PCBs by the NH2 Sep-Pak cartridge. The method described is rapid, simple and reproducible.

Organochlorine pesticide residues: an extensive monitoring of Italian fishery and aquaculture.

A sampling campaign from 21 sites in Italy was carried out to investigate the presence of organochlorine pesticide residues in different fish species. Samples came from marine fishery and either from sea- or freshwater aquaculture. Fish feed used in some fish farms were also analyzed. Pesticides studied belong to Persistent Organic Pollutants widely used in the past such as DDT, chlordane, heptachlor, and others. To ensure good quality results and proper data validation the main existing guidelines in the field were applied. The instrumental technique was a Dual column-Dual detector Gas Chromatography (GC-ECD and Ion Trap GC-MS) which allowed that complementary data on the same sample were acquired. Results for fishery showed a wide range of concentrations depending from the area and species examined. DDT, the major OC pesticide detected, varied from 0.02 to 130.03 ng g(-1) edible portion. As regards the products of aquaculture we observed slightly lower average levels of pollutants in a more narrow range of concentration: this is probably due to fish feed used as shown by some measures performed in the present study. Organochlorine pesticide residues were detected in all samples examined but they were generally well below the existing tolerance or action levels. Also the estimated daily intakes are well below than those recommended by WHO. This is a good indication about OCPs in the areas investigated but some further considerations on fish safety must be taken into account. An example on how fishes may act as bioindicators is reported.

Non-dioxin-like PCBs: a survey on fishery and aquaculture from the Mediterranean area

ABSTRACT A sampling campaign from 21 sites in Italy was conducted: 15 species from fishery and three species from aquaculture, for a total of 40 determinations, were considered. A careful sample preparation preceded the instrumental analysis that was carried out by means of GC–ECD and GC–MS. Good laboratory practice was achieved by the participation in proficiency tests, by the use of certified reference materials and by applying other directives recommended by international organisations. Concentrations measured in this work were compared with a TDI proposed by some international bodies: for a person weighing 70 kg one-third of the samples from fishery, when consumed, lead to exceed this TDI if the average fish daily consumption per capita is considered. Based on the data obtained here some hypotheses on environmental spreading and influence of PCBs on human health are made. Some suggestions about the preparation of fish for consumption are also given.