Abstract
Giant tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon) is an important marine crustacean widely reared for food all over the world but poses a health risk if it is contaminated by toxic elements. Potentially toxic elements (PTEs), i.e. copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) in wild- and farm-cultured prawns were measured for the first time to assess the levels of PTEs, their sources and health risks. Average concentrations (mg/kg) of Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, Pb, Mn and Zn in farm prawn were 3.13, 3.06, 14.21, 1.28, 0.50, 1.32, 5.89 and 7.68, respectively, and in wild prawn, they were 0.98, 2.43, 8.48, 0.45, 0.19, 0.46, 2.77 and 3.88, respectively. Except Ni and Zn, the concentrations of PTEs in prawn samples were higher than the maximum allowable concentration (MAC), indicating their contamination by PTEs which might pose risks to human health. Multivariate principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that anthropogenic activities including industrial wastes and agricultural chemicals are substantial sources of PTEs in the samples. Estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ) and target carcinogenic risk (CR) assessed for potential human health risk implications suggest that the values were slightly higher than the acceptable threshold for both adults and children.