Fish as food

The intraperitoneal LD50 values for fish, as for polkilotherms, are extremely low. This means that fish (with the exception perhaps of Fugu) are unable to tolerate even small amounts of the toxins in their bodies, and hence are unable to accumulate them. This important point will be discussed again below in connection with the effect of the toxins on the use of fish as food. 

Fish Products. As explained earlier, it is unlikely that paralytic shellfish toxins have an impact on the utilization of fish products from the point of view of the suitability of fish as food, except perhaps in cases where whole fish are eaten with little processing. Fish simply are unable to accumulate the toxins in their muscle tissues. But the toxins do appear to have an impact on the marketing of fish products, related to consumer wariness of seafood products in general during red tide and PSP incidents. The media blitz surrounding these incidents often leaves consumers unaware of which particular seafood items to be cautious. Consequently, finfish as well as shellfish products have been avoided during these episodes (25). 

Do not nse fish as food or feed within 3 days of application. 

Animals that are hunted and fished as food often contain bioaccumulated residues of toxic chemicals. These include mercury, PCBs, dioxins, and organochlorine compounds (including pesticides). 

From time immemorial, humans have used fish as food. Fish are a source of highly nutritive protein vitamins A, D, and particularly B calcium, phosphorus, rare microelements (iodine, selenium, fluorine) and lipids (fats and oils) that have particularly beneficial health effects. Medical doctors, nutritionists, and scientists have acknowledged these qualities, particularly during the past two decades. However, the correct conclusions could have been drawn much earlier in view of the fact that, 2000 years ago, it was the fish and bread that were multiplied by Jesus who gave them to the listening crowd. 

Rehhein H (1997). Fish as food fish species determination for caviar by protein and DNA analysis. Anim. Res. Dev., 46 39 16. 

Borgstrom, G. (Ed.) Fish as food. Vol. I-III. Academic Press New York. 1961-1965 Connell, J.J. Fish muscle proteins and some effects on them of processing. In Proteins and the reactions (Eds. Schultz, H.W., Anglemier, A.F.), p. 255, AVI Publ. Co. Westport, Conn. 1964 Connell, J.J. (Ed) Advances in fish science and technology. Fishing New Books Ltd Farnham, Surrey, England. 1980... 

J. H. Tidwell and G. L. Allan, Fish as food aquaculture s contribution. Ecological and economic impacts and contributions of fish farming and capture fisheries, EMBO Rep., 2001, 21, 958 963. 

Sodium and potassium benzoate are substances that may be added direcdy to human food and are affirmed as GRAS (33—35). Benzoic acid and sodium and potassium benzoate are now used as preservatives in such foods as sauces, pickles, cider, fmit juices, wine coolers, symps and concentrates, mincemeat and other acidic pie fillings, margarine, egg powder, fish (as a brine dip component), bottled carbonated beverages, and fmit preserves, jams, and jellies. The popularity of diet soft drinks has led to increased demand for both benzoate salts. 

Single cell protein, normally called simply SCP, is the term used to describe microbial cells, or proteins from them, which are used as food (food for humans) or feed (food for farm animals or fish). Although the term micro-organisms covers viruses, bacteria, fungi, algae and protozoa, viruses and protozoa are not considered suitable for SCP production. 

Water birds have not been shown to be directly affected by acidification. However, the prey of waterbirds may be of concern as these lower food-chain organisms may have elevated levels of toxic metals related to acidification of their habitat. Moreover, most water birds rely on some component of the aquatic food-chain for their high protein diet. Invertebrates that normally supply caJcium to egg-laying birds or their growing chicks are among the first to disappear as lakes acidify. As these food sources are reduced or eliminated due to acidification, bird habitat is reduced and reproductive rate of the birds is affected. The Common Loon is able to raise fewer chicks, or none at all, on acidic lakes where fish populations are reduced 37 and 5S). However, in some isolated cases, food supplies can be increased when competitive species are eliminated (e.g.. Common Goldeneye ducks can better exploit insects as food when competition from fish is eliminated). The collective influences of acidification are difficult to quantify on a specific area basis but for species that rely on a healthy aquatic ecosystem to breed, acidification remains a continuing threat in thousands of lakes across eastern North America 14). 

Residue amounts of methyl parathion have been detected in air, water, fish, soil, and agricultural crops consumed as foods. 

The carotenoids are the most widespread group of pigments in nature, with an estimated yield of 100 million tonnes per annum. They are present in all photosynthetic organisms and responsible for most of the yellow to red colours of fruits and flowers. The characteristic colours of many birds, insects and marine invertebrates are also due to the presence of carotenoids, which have originated in the diet. Animals are unable to synthesise carotenoids de novo, and so rely upon the diet as the source of these compounds. Carotenoids found in the human diet are primarily derived from crop plants, where the carotenoids are located in roots, leaves, shoots, seeds, fruit and flowers. To a lesser extent, carotenoids are also ingested from eggs, poultry and fish. Commercially, carotenoids are used as food colourants and in nutritional supplements (Table 13.1). Over recent years there has been considerable... 

Vander Zanden MJ, Vadeboncoeur Y. 2002. Fishes as integrators of benthic and pelagic food webs in lakes. Ecology 83 2152-2161. 

Wobeser G, Nielsen NO, Schiefer B. 1976. Mercury and mink. 1. Use of mercury-contaminated fish as a food for ranch mink intoxication. Can J Comp Med 40 30-33. 

A wide variety of reference materials is now available, covering several different kinds of natural matrix such as food (e.g. milk powder), human tissues (e.g. liver), marine biological materials (e.g. tuna fish) and soils and sediments. The radionuclides of interest cover naturally occurring ones (e.g. Ra), fission products... 

As part of its Radionuclides in Food Program, the FDA determined concentrations of radionuclides in their Total Diet Study, as well as food originating from the vicinity of nuclear reactors including raw vegetables, food crops (primarily fruits), fish, and milk. While not specifically analyzed for 241Am, concentrations of... 

Ophel, I. L, and J.M. Judd. 1976. Strontium and calcium accumulation in fish as affected by food composition. Pages 221-225 in C.E. Cushing (ed.). Radioecology and Energy Resources. Proceedings of the Fourth National Symposium on Radioecology, 12-14 May 1975, Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, OR. Ecol. Soc. Amer., Spec. Publ. No. 1. 

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been used in various industrial processes during the past 40 years but were not recognized as major environmental contaminants until 1966 (1). Fish as a major food source have attained the dubious honor of being the most frequently cited PCB contamination problem (2). In the following presentation disposition of PCBs in fish will be discussed from four points of view accumulation, metabolism, distribution and elimination. No attempt will be made to cover PCB residue levels found in fish in nature (3) or acute or chronic toxicity of PCBs in fish (4-20). 

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