Examination of seasonal variability of indicator polychlorinated biphenyls in Nile perch products from Lake Victoria, Tanzania

Abstract

In the current study, Nile perch products were analysed for seasonal variations in the levels of indicator polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Samples of fish products were collected from Lake Victoria during the dry and rainy seasons and extracted using a common method referred to as QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe) methodology. The residues of PCBs in fish samples were detected and quantified by using a Gas Chromatography equipped with Electron Capture Detectors and a Gas Chromatography equipped with Mass Spectrometer (GC-ECD/GC- MS). The concentrations of indicator PCBs in fish samples were generally greater during the rainy seasons than the dry seasons suggesting that seasonality has significant impacts on PCBs contamination in fish. However, the total PCBs in fish in the current study for both seasons were lower than the Maximum Recommended Limits of 75μg/kg that is set by the European Commission for fish and other fishery products. This indicates that the Nile perch products from Lake Victoria are safe for human consumption based on the studied toxicants.