Bioaccumulation Testing of Fish Drugs in Aquaculture: Ensuring Safety for Consumers and the Environment
In the world of fish farming, the use of drugs and chemicals is a common practice to prevent and treat diseases that threaten the survival of fish.
Drugs help farmers reduce the risk of fish mortality which can impact production results. However, although useful, the use of these drugs poses a potential threat to the aquatic environment.
One threat that deserves attention is bioaccumulation, which is the process of accumulating hazardous chemicals in the bodies of living organisms, including fish, which can harm the environment and consumers.
Bioaccumulation testing is important to understand the extent to which chemicals from fish drugs persist and accumulate in fish tissue. This provides important information for farmers and policy makers to determine safe limits for drug use, as well as ensure that farmed fish are safe for human consumption.
This article will review the bioaccumulation test method for fish drug products, from basic principles to the analytical techniques used.
What is Fish Drug Bioaccumulation Test?
Bioaccumulation refers to the process by which chemicals, particularly lipophilic (fat-soluble) ones, accumulate in the tissues of living organisms over time, exceeding the concentrations found in their environment.
In the context of fish farming, excessive bioaccumulation of drug residues can have negative impacts on fish health, the quality of the final product, and the aquatic ecosystem.
Bioaccumulation testing aims to measure the level of chemical accumulation in the body of fish, either through the intake of contaminated feed, water, or direct contact with the drug product.
By conducting bioaccumulation testing, it can be ensured that the drugs used in fish farming do not exceed the residue threshold that is safe for the environment and consumers.
This is also an important step to comply with regulations imposed by health regulatory agencies, which regulate the use of chemicals in food products.
Bioaccumulation Test Method
The bioaccumulation test method for fish drug products begins with the selection of the right fish species, such as tilapia, catfish, or gourami, which are often farmed and have a high capacity to absorb chemicals.
The next stage is exposure testing, where the fish are placed in an environment contaminated with a certain amount of the drug, either through feed or water.
After the exposure period is complete, fish tissue, such as liver or muscle, is taken for analysis to determine the amount of chemicals that have accumulated. Laboratory techniques such as gas chromatography (GC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) are used to identify and quantify these chemicals.
The results of the analysis are then compared with applicable safety standards to evaluate whether the bioaccumulation level is safe for consumers and the environment. If the concentration exceeds the limit, it is recommended to reduce or stop the use of the drug in fish farming.
The bioaccumulation test method provides several advantages for the fish farming industry and environmental protection. First, this test helps ensure that fish products are safe for consumption and free from harmful chemical residues. Second, this test plays a role in protecting the health of aquatic ecosystems, considering that drug residues released into the environment can harm non-target organisms.
That was a bit of information about the fish drug bioaccumulation test, stay tuned for our next article for more interesting information!
Author: Dherika
References
Jamil Emon F, Rohani MF, Sumaiya N, Tuj Jannat MF, Akter Y, Shahjahan M, Abdul Kari Z, Tahiluddin AB, Goh KW. (2023). Bioaccumulation and Bioremediation of Heavy Metals in Fishes—A Review. Toxics, 11(6):510. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11060510.
Lu, Y., Song, S., Wang, R., Liu, Z., Meng, J., Sweetman, A.J., Jenkins, A., Ferrier, R.C., Li, H., Luo, W., et al. (2015). Impacts of Soil and Water Pollution on Food Safety and Health Risks in China. Environ. Int, 77: 5–15.
