Evaluation of hazards and benefits associated with the consumption of six fish species from the Portuguese coast

• A portion 160 g of fish contributes to the RDA/RDI of essential elements.
• 49% and 84% of n-3 PUFA RDI achieved with 160 g of A. carbo and L. whiffiagonis.
• Cd and Pb contents in all fish muscle samples were below the EU limit.
• Consumption of liver from studied fish species must be avoided.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the hazards and benefits of the consumption of 6 deep-water fish species from the Portuguese coast. Samples from muscle and liver of Lophius piscatorius and Lophius budegassa and Aphanopus carbo and from muscle of Helicolenus dactylopterus and Lepidorhombus boscii and Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis were analyzed. It was found that a portion size of 160 g significantly contributes to the recommended daily allowance/intake (RDA/RDI) for a balanced human diet, with respect to the essential elements analyzed. Moreover, 49% and 84% of the RDI of 500 mg for main n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids was achieved through consumption of a 160 g portion of A. carbo and L. whiffiagonis, respectively. Average Cd and Pb contents in all fish muscle samples were consistently below the EU limit. Attending to the tolerable weekly intake/provisional tolerable weekly intake (TWI/PTWI), it appears that studied species muscle does not represent a hazard for human consumption. However, the consumption of liver of the studied fish species must be avoided. A weekly meal of L. whiffiagonis may be advised on the basis of its significant contribution for elemental and n-3 fatty acid requirements and its minimal contamination risks.