Abstract
A B S T R A C T This study investigated the concentrations of selected heavy metals in canned tuna products commercially available in the Libyan market, given the widespread consumption of canned tuna as an affordable source of protein and the potential health risks associated with the bioaccumulation of chemical contaminants in fish tissues. We randomly obtained eight canned tuna samples from different brands and production batches from supermarkets and local markets in Tripoli, Libya. Five heavy metals, namely mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu), were analyzed. Iron, lead, copper, and cadmium were quantified using a Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (GFAAS), whereas mercury was determined by Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (CVAAS). The reliability of the analytical procedure was assessed using DORM-4 Fish Protein Certified Reference Material, with recovery values ranging from 95% to 102%. The findings showed that the average concentrations of the investigated metals were generally within the permissible levels specified by international food safety standards. Nevertheless, mercury concentrations varied substantially among samples, with sample H7 showing the highest recorded value of 1.715 ppm. Lead was present in all samples, with concentrations ranging from 0.059 to 0.126 ppm and an overall mean of 0.092 ± 0.026 ppm. All measured lead concentrations were below the European Union maximum limit of 0.20 mg/kg, with no samples exceeding the specified guideline. The concentrations of cadmium and copper likewise remained within their respective permissible limits. Although iron exhibited the greatest variation among the analyzed metals, its detected levels did not suggest an immediate safety concern according to the reference limits applied in this study. In conclusion, the results reveal differences in heavy-metal concentrations among canned tuna products available in the Libyan market. These findings emphasize the need for continuous regulatory oversight, periodic monitoring of heavy-metal contamination, effective control of imported food products, and improved traceability throughout the supply chain to ensure the safety and quality of canned tuna consumed by the Libyan population. Keywords: Canned Tuna, Heavy Metals, Mercury, Food Safety, Health Risk Assessment