Macro- and trace elements in Chinese mitten crabs (Eriocheir sinensis) from Szczecin Lagoon, Poland - Implications for human health

Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) is a valued foodstuff in China. However, their elemental composition is still poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to quantify the concentrations of Al, As, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn in muscle, hepatopancreas, gonads, gills, and exoskeletons of E. sinensis caught in spring and autumn in the Szczecin Lagoon, and to compare these levels to Dietary Reference Intake. High levels of Ca (> 20, 000 mu g g(-1)) in the exoskeleton, K (5,980 mu g g(-1)) and Zn (80.8 mu g g(-1)) in muscle, Ni (0.678 mu g g(-1)) and Cd (0.3278 mu g g(-1)) in the hepatopancreas, As (0.0411 mu g g(-1)) and Se (0.3208 mu g g(-1)) in the gonads, Fe (204 mu g g(-1)), Cu (59.0 mg g(-1)), and Pb (0.0742 mg g(-1)) in the gills were measured. The edible parts of E. sinensis caught in Poland can be a valuable source of macro- and microelements important in human diet. Levels of Pb and Cd did not exceed the established food safety level of 0.50 mu g g(-1). The results showed that introduction of commercial fishing of this species may be profitable and would also comply with the European Union's legal regulations concerning the reduction of invasive animal populations in Europe.