Abstract

In the present study, the heavy metal concentrations in different organs (skin and muscle tissue) were studied in Lessepsian suez puffer (Lagocephalus suezensis Clark and Gohar, 1953) collected from Iskenderun Bay, North-eastern Mediterranean. Heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni & Zn) were analyzed in different organs for the above mentioned species. The maximum heavy metals concentrations in muscle tissues of the species were Cu 1.750 mg/kg, Fe 18.096 mg/kg, Mn 0.606 mg/kg, Zn 228.571 mg/kg, Cd 2.00 mg/kg, Co 3.571 mg/kg, Cr 0.952 mg/kg, Ni 1.500 mg/kg and Pb 18.095 mg/kg. Zn was detected higher in all the samples followed by Fe, Pb, Co, Cd, Cu, Ni, Cr and Mn. In the present study, heavy metal concentrations were found high in muscle tissues when compared to skin. The Pb, Cd and Zn concentration over the recommended limits was found in Lagocephalus suezensis. Further, this is the first report on distribution of heavy metals and proximate compositions of commercialized important edible pufferfishes from Iskenderun Bay, Turkey.