Heavy metals and sensory evaluation of canned tuna fish

In this study, two heavy metals in canned tuna fish were determined after digestion by the AOAC methods. Mercury and Cadmium levels in canned tuna fish were determined by flame atomic absorption photometry. The results of this study indicate that canned tuna fish imported into the country have concentrations well below the petmissible FAO/WHO levels for these toxic metals. Their contribution to the body burden can therefore be considered negligible and the fish seem to be safe for human consumption. For the sensory evaluation, tuna flakes in vegetable oil (Starkist) from Ghana and light meat tuna chunks in sunflower oil (John West) from Thailand were the most preferred while tuna flakes in brine (John West) from Thailand is the least preferred