Assessing Health Risks of Trace Elements in Portunus segnis from Northern Tunisian Lagoons

Abstract The current study examined the concentrations of eight trace elements (TE) (nickel, aluminum, copper, cadmium, lead, cobalt, chromium, and zinc) in the edible tissue of the invasive blue swimming crab Portunus segnis from two southern Mediterranean lagoons, Bizerte Lagoon (BL) and Ghar El-Melh Lagoon (GML), in the years 2020–2021. The highest TE concentrations in P. segnis muscular tissue of crabs from both lagoons were recorded during the summer. The levels of TE analyzed in P. segnis and the parameters used to assess the potential human risk, estimated daily intake, target hazard quotient and target cancer risk were all below the thresholds defined for human health safety. As a result, we can affirm that P. segnis figures as a secure shellfish product that is suitable for human consumption in Tunisia. The present study provides potential for improving awareness of this seafood product within Tunisia's food industry. Additionally, it offers fundamental insights to lay the groundwork for forthcoming studies on environmental assessments.