Characteristic Levels of Some Heavy Metals from Brazilian Canned Sardines (Sardinella brasiliensis)

The total concentration of metals Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Sn, Cd, Cr and Pb were determined in different brands of sardines canned in soybean oil and tomato sauce, commercialized in Brazil. The sample was dissolved after wet digestion with acids and the measurements were done by flame atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). The metals that presented higher concentrations were Fe and Zn ranging from 20.96 to 88.83 and 16.16 to 36.09 μg/g, respectively. The highest values were found in sardines canned in tomato sauce. Cu, Mn and Sn ranged from 1.31 to 2.25; 1.53 to 17.55 and 2.07 to 4.57 μg/g, respectively. When compared to those metals, the Cd, Cr and Pb contents in (μg/g) presented lower values, ranging from 0.19 to 0.38, 0.46 to 1.18 and 0.77 to 2.15, respectively. The contents of Cd and Pb did not present values above the maximum limit permissible by Brazilian legislation, that are, respectively, 1.0 and 2.0 μg/g. On the other hand, the Cr concentrations were above the limit value of 0.10 μg/g. The concentrations of Pb (2.15 μg/g) observed in brand P were above the permissible limit. In general, only brand P presented the highest levels of metals. This can be attributed to differences in the process of canning and sardines quality.