DNA barcodes reveal species-specific mercury levels in tuna sushi that pose a health risk to consumers

Jacob H. Lowenstein; Joanna Burger; Christian W. Jeitner; George Amato; Sergios Orestis Kolokotronis; Michael Gochfeld

doi:https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2010.0156

DNA barcodes reveal species-specific mercury levels in tuna sushi that pose a health risk to consumers

Jacob H. Lowenstein, Joanna Burger, Christian W. Jeitner, George Amato, Sergios Orestis Kolokotronis, Michael Gochfeld

School of Arts and Sciences, Cell Biology & Neuroscience

Rutgers, The State University

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

72 Scopus citations

Abstract

Excessive ingestion of mercury-a health hazard associated with consuming predatory fishes-damages neurological, sensory-motor and cardiovascular functioning. The mercury levels found in Bigeye Tuna (Thunnus obesus) and bluefin tuna species (Thunnus maccoyii, Thunnus orientalis, and Thunnus thynnus), exceed or approach levels permissible by Canada, the European Union, JaPan, the US, and the World Health Organization. We used DNA barcodes to identify tuna sushi samples analysed for mercury and demonstrate that the ability to identify cryptic samples in the market place allows regulatory agencies to more accurately measure the risk faced by fish consumers and enact policies that better safeguard their health.

Original language	American English
Pages (from-to)	692-695
Number of pages	4
Journal	Biology Letters
Volume	6
Issue number	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2010.0156
State	Published - Oct 23 2010

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous)
Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)

Keywords

DNA barcoding
Epidemiology
Mercury
Seafood labelling
Sushi
Thunnus

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https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2010.0156

Cite this

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AU - Burger, Joanna

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AU - Amato, George

AU - Kolokotronis, Sergios Orestis

AU - Gochfeld, Michael

PY - 2010/10/23

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AB - Excessive ingestion of mercury-a health hazard associated with consuming predatory fishes-damages neurological, sensory-motor and cardiovascular functioning. The mercury levels found in Bigeye Tuna (Thunnus obesus) and bluefin tuna species (Thunnus maccoyii, Thunnus orientalis, and Thunnus thynnus), exceed or approach levels permissible by Canada, the European Union, JaPan, the US, and the World Health Organization. We used DNA barcodes to identify tuna sushi samples analysed for mercury and demonstrate that the ability to identify cryptic samples in the market place allows regulatory agencies to more accurately measure the risk faced by fish consumers and enact policies that better safeguard their health.

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DNA barcodes reveal species-specific mercury levels in tuna sushi that pose a health risk to consumers

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

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