Investigation of nutrient composition and heavy metalaccumulations of brond-snout -Chondrostoma regium (Heckel, 1843)- grown in the iron reed (Bitlis)

Fish are an important source of animal protein rich in omega-3 and relatively low in fat in a healthy and balanced diet. Fish meat, which is known to be protective against many diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and obesity, is more advantageous in terms of use in the body as it contains less connective tissue. Although fish consumption is evaluated with its health benefits, they are mediators for the transportation any pollutants such as heavy metals, from aquatic ecosystems to humans. Heavy metals can be released from both anthropogenic and natural sources, especially from volcanic areas, and join the ecosystem and food chain and pose a risk to food safety. In this study, Chondrostoma regium (Heckel, 1843), which grows in the Iron Reed (Bitlis / Güroymak) located on the foothills of the Nemrut Kaldera and is consumed by the local people, has been examined in terms of biological, nutritional and food safety. Biological properties of fish for general health conditions, nutritional composition in order to evaluate food quality, heavy metal accumulations in terms of food safety were examined and risk assessments were made accordingly. This study is one of the rare studies that brings together different fields of study, and it is the only study conducted in this field in the region. When the data on the biological characteristics of fish are compared with other studies, it was seen that the fish showed an optimum development. Nutritional composition components are protein (18%), fat (2%), ash (1%) and moisture (75%). Tissue heavy metal amounts were compared with national and international acceptable limits. It was observed that cadmium and lead values were above acceptable limits. In addition, based on the estimated daily intake values, it was found to be tolerable except cadmium and lead for individuals who are assumed to consume fish twice a week and weigh an average of 72.8 kg. Since the total target hazard coefficient is less than 1, it can be stated that it shows a low risk of consumption by the local people. However, considering that heavy metals tend to accumulate, it is thought that consumption may pose a risk in the long term. For this reason, it is necessary to create water and fisheries management plans that will be effective in protecting the ecosystem and human health from these long-term risks and to carry out studies to raise public awareness.