From fish chemical characterisation to the benefit-risk assessment – Part A

Proximate composition, fatty acid profile, cholesterol, α-tocoferol content and essential (K, Na, Cl, S, Mg, Ca, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Se) and contaminant element (Hg/MeHg, Cd, Pb, and As) levels in silver scabbardfish (Lepidopus caudatus), hake (Merluccius merluccius), and ray (Raja spp.) were investigated. s showed that these species contain high protein, low cholesterol and energy levels, being its consumption recommended. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were the dominant group of the fatty acids, being 80% of the n-3 family. Attending to the dietary reference intakes (DRIs), these fish species are a good source of Se and the other minerals can give a relevant contribution to the DRIs in a balanced diet. More than one weekly meal of silver scabbardfish has to be avoided due to the organic mercury concentration. More accurate dietary recommendations require a probabilistic assessment, which will be the focus of this study’s Part B.