ASSESSMENT OF SOME HEAVY METAL POLLUTANTS IN SMOKED CATFISH (Clarias gariepinus) SOLD AT KATUZU AND BAKIN CROSS YAN KIFI GASHUA YOBE STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT Fish smoking is the oldest known traditional method of fish processing and preservation. Fish provide the protein needed for bodybuilding and repairs of tissue repair and form part of a healthy, balanced, and nutritious diet. Heavy metal contamination of ingested food substances is a serious health concern due to their high level of toxicological effects on humans. Fish products may become contaminated during processing or due to the intake of heavy metals from a polluted aquatic environment. This research determined the concentration of some heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Cd, and Ni) in smoked Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) sold at Katuzu and Bakin Cross Yan Kifi Gashua Bade Local Government of Yobe State. Smoked fish samples were obtained from two major fish markets in Gashua (Katuzu and Bakin Cross Yan Kifi). The samples were shade-dried for 24hrs and ground into powder. The grounded samples were digested using concentrated nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide (2:1) v/v and analyzed for heavy metals using AAS. The results of the heavy metals concentration (Ni, Cd, Cr, and Pb) of smoked catfish (Clarias gariepinus) obtained from Bakin Cross were (0.42±0.0037, 0.61±0.0071, 1.67±0.0069, and 0.87±0.0082) mg/kg respectively, While the concentrations of heavy metals obtained from Katuzu were (0.67±0.02558, 0.81±0.03755, 2.13±0.01746, and 1.12±0.04377) mg/kg for Ni, Cd, Cr, and Pb respectively. The results obtained, showed that Cr, and Pd concentrations were above the permissible limits of intake as set by WHO/FAO in both Katuzu and Bakin Cross samples, Cd concentration is within the permissible limit of intake, while Ni concentration from Katuzu exceed the permissible limit and that of Bakin Cross is within the permissible limit. The study recommends a continuous assessment of the level of heavy metals in smoked fish from the study area. Keywords: Smoked Catfish (Clarias Gariepinus); Heavy Metals; Gashua; Atomic Absorption Spectrometer