Evaluating Heavy Metal Levels in Commercial Fish Feeds in Khulna, Bangladesh: Implications for Aquaculture Safety

Rahman, Md. Hamidur; Sultana, Nadira; Wijaya, Anugrah Ricky; Jahan, Mst. Nusrat; Sarker, Famous; Asadujjaman, Md.; Jahan, Fatema; Hossain, Md. Jahid; Mukta, Sultana Parvin; Romjan, Al Shariar; Abdus Salam, Md.; Eaty, Mst. Nusrat Jahan; Yeasmin, Antora; Hasan, Mehedi; Sajin, Rizwan Ahmed; Hossain, Md. Sazzad

doi:10.21608/ejabf.2025.429325.6708

Evaluating Heavy Metal Levels in Commercial Fish Feeds in Khulna, Bangladesh: Implications for Aquaculture Safety

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Aquaculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

² Department of Aquaculture Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU)

³ Chemistry Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Nigeri Malang (UM),State University of Malang, Jln Semarang No. 5 Malang, Indonesia

⁴ Independent Researcher, Sydney, Australia

⁵ Department of Aquaculture, Khulna Agricultural University, Khulna, Bangladesh

⁶ Department of Aquaculture, Khulna Agricultural University, Khulna-9100

⁷ Bangladesh Institute of Research and Training on Applied Nutrition (BIRTAN), Araihazar, Narayanganj

⁸ Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Bangladesh

⁹ Department of Aquaculture, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram

¹⁰ Department of Fisheries Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

¹¹ Faculty of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, Khulna Agricultural University, Khulna

¹² Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

10.21608/ejabf.2025.429325.6708

Abstract

The present study aims to assess the levels of selected heavy metals—zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As)—in commercial fish feeds obtained from 17 different feed companies in Khulna district, Bangladesh. The collected feed samples were analyzed at the Interdisciplinary Institute for Food Security (IIFS) Laboratory using Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GFAAS) to determine the concentrations of the targeted heavy metals. The results showed that zinc concentrations varied among the feeds, ranging from 52.73 ppm in Aman Feed Grower to 95.20 ppm in Mega Grower Feed. All values were below the maximum permissible limit of 100 ppm set by the WHO and FAO. In contrast, chromium concentrations were of greater concern. The highest level was found in Agroho Grower Feed (6.33 ppm), while the lowest was in Lily Starter Feed (0.43 ppm). Chromium was not detected in Mega Grower Feed. Cadmium, lead, and arsenic were not detected in any of the samples, indicating a relatively low risk from these toxic metals in the feeds tested. Zinc levels in the tested feeds are within safe limits; however, chromium concentrations substantially exceed international safety standards, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring to ensure fish and public health safety.

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