CONCENTRATION OF 16 PRIORITY PAHs IN CATFISH FROM OPEN MARKET (NEW BENIN MARKET)

ABSTRACT

The assessment of the level of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in smoked catfish (Clarias gariepinus) have been carried out. The catfish samples were bought from New Benin market. The PAHs in the catfish samples were extracted using solvent extraction approach and were analyzed for the 16 priority PAHs using Gas Chromatography/Flame Ionization Detector. The fish samples showed that the PAH Acenaphthylene had the highest concencentration of 1172.94ug/kg. Remarkably, the mean concentration of Benzo[a]anthracene, Benzo[b]flouranthrene and Benzo[a]pyrene were with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) limit of 5ug/kg. The above observation is a pointer to the fact that the fish samples are still safe for consumption.