Determination of formaldehyde in wet marketed fish by HPLC analysis: A negligible concern for fish and food safety in Bangladesh

Formaldehyde (FA) content in nine commonly available marine and freshwater finfish and one shrimp species marketed in Dhaka was assessed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Limit of detection and limit of quantification values of 6.90 and 22.90 µg kg−1 were calculated respectively. The study revealed different levels of formaldehyde in analyzed samples. The Kawran bazaar, the Raiyer bazaar and the Mohakhali bazaar of Dhaka city fish were analyzed; the level of the content of formaldehyde was higher in Raiyer bazaar fish samples and lower in Kawran bazaar fish samples. The range of formaldehyde value in freshwater and marine finfish samples and shrimp samples ranged 5.1 ± 0.71-12.26 ± 1.67 mg kg−1, 10.8 ± 1.72-39.68 ± 7.87 mg kg−1 and 13.57 ± 1.93 mg kg−1 respectively. The FA content was in the range of 5.1 ± 0.71-39.68 ± 7.87 mg kg−1 eventually found in all marketed fish.