Quantification of Phthalates and Bisphenols in Fish Samples from Owan Market, Edo State, Nigeria

Phthalates and bisphenols are widely used industrial chemicals known for their persistence in the environment and potential to bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms. This study aimed to quantify selected bisphenols and phthalates in two commercially important fish species—Gymnarchus niloticus and Clarias gariepinus—obtained from Owan Market, Edo State, Nigeria. A total of 30 fish samples were sampled over a five-month sampling periods (June to October 2022). The samples were homogenized and analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to detect four bisphenols (BPA, BPS, BPE, and BTMC) and five phthalates (DMP, DCHP, DEHP, DPrP, and DEP). In G. niloticus, phthalate concentrations ranged from not detected (ND) to 45.34 ± 0.17 µg/g, while in C. gariepinus, the concentrations were higher, ranging up to 97.8 ± 0.66 µg/g. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) was the most abundant phthalate in both species while DCHP and DPrP were not detected in G. niloticus and C. gariepinus respectively. There was also significant difference in the concentration of DEHP in C. gariepinus compared to G. niloticus at p<0.001. Among the bisphenols, bisphenol A (BPA) showed the highest concentrations in both fish: 584.6 ± 0.09 µg/g in G. niloticus and 527.5 ± 41.72 µg/g in C. gariepinus. There was, however, no significant difference in the concentrations of bisphenol congeners among the two fish species. The presence and elevated concentrations—particularly of BPA and DEHP—raise significant public health and environmental concerns. Routine screening of fish and other aquatic products is, therefore, essential to mitigate potential human exposure and ensure food safety.