Total arsenic in raw and boiled portions of Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) from the central Adriatic Sea

J Agric Food Chem. 2013 Dec 18;61(50):12445-9. doi: 10.1021/jf404221y. Epub 2013 Dec 4.

Abstract

The distribution of total arsenic in different portions of Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus L., Crustacea) was studied both in fresh samples and after a boiling process. All individuals (n = 80) were selected of medium standard commercial size (13-15 cm). The highest mean concentrations (26.86 ± 1.57 mg/kg wet weight (ww)) were found in the raw brown meat of the crustacean, probably due to its detoxification role, whereas the lowest mean values (15.97 ± 0.85 mg/kg ww) were in the raw exoskeleton. The raw white meat reported mean values of 16.09 ± 0.61 mg/kg ww. The levels of arsenic contamination detected in the boiled portions showed a significant (p < 0.01) decrease compared to the raw portions, as a consequence of solubilization phenomena. In fact, a large amount of arsenic from raw lobsters was transferred to the corresponding boiling broth. In the most commonly consumed portion, the white meat, only slight losses (7.22%) in total arsenic content were observed compared to the raw portion.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arsenic / analysis*
  • Cooking
  • Food Contamination / analysis*
  • Nephropidae / chemistry*
  • Norway
  • Shellfish / analysis*

Substances

  • Arsenic