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The Chinese mitten crab ( Eriocheir sinensis ) is an invasive species in the Baltic Sea catchment area. Its numbers in fishery are steadily growing and can potentially become a considerable export product. However, the meat of these crustaceans is known to accumulate contaminants, such as trace elements. Therefore, in this study we examined the content of Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, U, Zn in the claws, legs, and carapace of Chinese mitten crabs from Lake Dąbie (south-western catchment area of the Baltic Sea). Concentrations of Mo and U were within the sensitivity limit of the analytical method, and the average concentrations (in mg kg −1 dw) of the remaining elements ranged from 0.016 (Cd, claw meat) to 191 (Fe, carapace). The meat had very high concentrations of essential metals (Fe > 20, Cu > 17, Zn > 16, Mn > 2, in mg kg −1 dw). The concentrations of Pb and Cd were 5 and 100 times lower than the threshold for foods established by the Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006. The meat of crabs from Lake Dąbie should be safe for consumers and may be a source of elements playing important functions in metabolic processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish roe is among important components of human diet, but its elemental composition is rather poorly known. In this study we used inductively coupled plasma mass spectrophotometer (ICP-MS) to examine the content of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb and Se in the roe of sturgeon, sea trout and rainbow trout. In addition, risk assessment for consumer health was conducted by the determination of estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI) and carcinogenic risk (CR). Overall, the elements formed the following sequence (mean values in μg kg−1): Se (1173) > Mn (785) > Ni (58.9) > As (27.6) > Mo (14.5) > Co (2.25) > Cr (1.31) > Pb (0.96) > Cd (0.41). The greatest concentrations of As, Co, Cr, Ni and Pb were recorded for the sturgeon roe, and the greatest Cd and Mo concentrations for the sea trout roe. The EDI values did not exceed permissible oral reference doses, the THQ were much below the permissible levels (THQ < 1), and the CR were at least within the permissible range (CR < 10−4). In conclusion, bioaccumulation of elements depended on the fish species, and for Cd, Co, Cr and Pb it was smaller than that observed in the roe of fish from other regions of the Earth. No risk for consumer health in terms of CR, THQ and HI values was detected in the examined roe. Assuming a small index of roe consumption, it can be concluded that its consumption should not pose a threat to human health. • Sturgeon roe had the highest content of As, Co, Cr, Ni, Pb. • The elements in the roe formed the sequence: Se>Mn>Ni>As>Mo>Co>Cr>Pb>Cd. • EDI of all the elements was below oral reference dose (RfD). • Consumption of Se contained in 10 g roe was ca. 3% RfD. • No-carcinogenic (THQ<1) or carcinogenic (CR<10–4) risks were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Male Chinese mitten crab males had a higher condition factor than the females. • Concentrations of Ca, Fe, Cu, Mn, Al, Cd, Co, and Ni were highest in the hepatopancreas. • Crab muscle had the lowest Pb and Mo concentrations and the highest Se, K, Zn, and Cr. • The consumption of crabs from the Elbe River should be safe for the health of the consumer. The Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) is an invasive species in Europe. This study aimed to determine the levels of Al, As, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn in the muscles and hepatopancreas of female and male and in the gonads of females caught in the Elbe River (Germany), relative to water and sediment levels, using an atomic absorption spectrometer. Elemental levels were compared with the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI). The results showed that females had significantly higher muscle levels of Cr and Zn than the males, and males had significantly higher hepatopancreas levels of Cd, Se, and Co. Generally, the hepatopancreas had significantly higher levels of most elements than the gonads and muscles. Levels of Cu, Fe, and Zn exceeded the Recommended Dietary Allowances. The levels of all the elements were below the Tolerable Upper Intake Level, and Tolerable Daily Intakes for Pb, Cd, Cr, Co, and As were not exceeded. In conclusion, the edible parts of the crabs can be an excellent supplement to the human diet, and the intake of 100 g portions a day will not exceed DRI for the studied elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Heavy metal accumulation was sex-, season- and body part-dependent. • The content of heavy metals in F. limosus tissues is safe for human consumption. • 100 g of abdomen meat covers 42 % (P) and 14 % (Zn) of the daily requirement. Spiny-cheek crayfish (Faxonius limosus , Rafinesque, 1817) females and males were examined as an alternative source of highly valuable material currently sought by the food industry. The aim of the study was to assess the profiles of 14 macro- and microelements (Al, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Se, Si, Zn) in the meat, exoskeleton and eggs (females) of crayfish collected in the spring and autumn seasons in the Lake Sominko (Poland). The content of heavy metals was analysed, and the degree of their accumulation in crayfish tissues was determined. The profile of the investigated elements in the tested samples was variable depending on the body part, sex of individuals and season of sample collection. A portion of crayfish abdomen meat or eggs (100 g) is particularly rich in P (41.5–73.9 %) of daily requirement), Zn (14.1–38.5 %), Mg (7.9–21.5 %), K (3.3–13.1 %) and Na (4.6–7.7 %) and small quantities of Ca (0.8–2.5 %) and Al (0.9–4.7 %). The study confirmed that consumption of crayfish meat is toxicologically safe and nutritionally complete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]