Levels of Organotin Compounds in Selected Fish Species from the Arabian Gulf.

In the present work, data on the levels of hazardous Organotin compounds in eight commercially important fish species, caught from Arabian Gulf, has been reported. Highest levels of tributyltin (TBT) (98.5 ng/g dry weight) were detected in Epinephelus Tauvina whereas minimum (43.7 ng/g) were found in Acanthoparagus Bifasciatus. Highest levels of triphenyltin (TPT) were detected in Lethrinus Miniatus (107.5 ng/g) whereas lowest were encountered in Acanthoparagus Bifasciatus (64.9 ng/g). Highest value of total butyltin compounds (∑BT) were found in emperors (Lethrinus Miniatus) (228.4 ng/g) whereas minimum was found in Acanthoparagus Bifasciatus (126.4 ng/g). Similarly highest value of total phenyltin compounds (∑PT) was encountered in Epinephelus Tauvina (281.9 ng/g) followed closely by Acanthoparagus Bifasciatus (281.7 ng/g). In addition, the estimated daily intake (EDI) of the local population from consumption of these fish was also evaluated. Highest EDI was found to be 10.8 ng/kg bw/day for epinephelus microdan. The data are also compared internationally.

Levels of selected heavy metals in black tea varieties consumed in Saudi Arabia.

The metal contents (Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Cr, Pb, Ni, Cd, Co) of 17 black tea samples were analyzed by using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Among the investigated metals Mn was the highest (1,071.7 microg/g), whereas Pb showed minimum levels (0.30 microg/g). Iron was the second highest element found in black tea samples. Lowest Pb concentration (0.30 microg/g) was found in Abu Jabal tea; whereas maximum (2.2 microg/g) was found in Manasul tea. Lowest Cd concentration was found in Lipton whereas maximum level was observed for Al-Diafa tea. The concentrations of Co and Zn in the analyzed samples were in the range of 4.5-17.4 and 23.7-122.4 microg/g, respectively. Metal-to-metal correlation studies showed strong correlations between iron-chromium, iron-cadmium and lead-copper pairs. The data obtained in the present work compared well with the counterpart data reported internationally. Based upon the present safety standards, the tea versions selected in the present study were found to be safe for human consumption.