University of Córdoba detects 81 contaminants in Mediterranean fish

Researchers at the University of Córdoba (UCO) have identified 81 different contaminants in four fish species commonly consumed in the Mediterranean diet: horse mackerel, sardine, red mullet, and hake.

The study, conducted by the Analytical Chemistry Department of the Institute for Chemistry for Energy and Environment (IQUEMA), utilized high-resolution mass spectrometry to analyze 120 specimens. The findings revealed a complex chemical mixture including plasticizers, flame retardants, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs, personal care products, and industrial compounds.

A significant aspect of the research focuses on metabolites—the products resulting from the fish processing these contaminants. The study notes that these metabolites are often less documented in food safety evaluations than the original pollutants. In many cases, the original contaminant was no longer detectable, only its metabolite remained.