DETERMINATION OF THE PURITY OF MARINE FISH AND THE CONTENT OF HEAVY METALS IN IT
The article analyzes the information about the importance of fish in the system of human and animal nutrition. In addition to proteins, fats and carbohydrates, fish contain a lot of minerals, as well as a large amount of water- and fat-soluble vitamins. The most important is the fact that in fish meat there are unsaturated fatty acids, which are activators of many physiological functions. However, the environmental situation in various water bodies, from where fish is extracted, unfortunately, is unfavorable. For example, they contain unacceptable amounts of heavy metals that can be found in fish meat. The main task of veterinary toxicology and veterinary-sanitary examination is a thorough assessment of food products, as well as the preparation of the conclusion characterizing the state of the studied material. The paper presents the data obtained with the help of organoleptic, bacterioscopic, physico-chemical and chemical-toxicological examination of meat of frozen sea fish (herring and mackerel), which was carried out by the chemical-toxicological department of the Chuvash republican veterinary laboratory of the State veterinary service of the Chuvash Republic. Sampling and organoleptic evaluation of fish samples were carried out in accordance with GOST 7631-85 [1]. The study of the content of heavy metals in the meat of the samples was carried out using an atomic absorption spectrometer in accordance with generally accepted methods, as well as other regulatory documentation. The study of lead content was carried out in accordance with MUK 4.1.986 [9]. The values of heavy metal concentrations in samples were compared with their permissible level reflected in SanPiN 2.3.2.1078-01 "Hygienic requirements of food safety and nutritional value" [10]. According to the results of organoleptic, bacterioscopic and physico-chemical studies of the fish samples, frozen herring (sample №1) and mackerel (sample № 2), it was found that they corresponded to the indicators of good quality. The concentrations of heavy metals in the samples in comparison with those presented in SanPiN 2.3.2.1078-01 [10] do not exceed the maximum permissible content of toxic elements. Therefore, the complex of researches allows to draw a conclusion that the samples of frozen sea fish are suitable for the use in food.