The effect of fish size on the content of zinc, iron, copper, and manganese in the muscles of perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) and pike (Esox lucius L.)

Abstract

The correlation coefficients between fish size (body weight and total length) and the content of zinc, iron, copper, and manganese in muscles of perch, Perca fluviatilis L., and pike, Esox lucius L., were determined. The fish were caught in four lakes (Łańskie, Pluszne, Dłużek, Maróz) located in the Olsztyn Lake District (northeastern Poland) during 1999-2000. With the exception of copper in the perch from Lake Pluszne, in all cases the concentrations of zinc, copper, and manganese in muscle tissue decreased with perch body weight and total length. The content of iron in the muscles of perch from Lake Łańskie was correlated negatively with the size of these fish, but in other cases the levels of iron increased or remained constant. The zinc concentration in muscles of pike was correlated positively with the body weight and total length of these fish. A negative correlation between fish size and iron and manganese content was noted at all sites, except with regard to iron in pike from Lake Pluszne. There was a positive correlation between weight or length and copper concentration in pike from lakes Łańskie and Maróz. However, there was a negative correlation between size and copper content in the muscles of pike from lakes Pluszne and Dłużek. The relationship between the contents of selected metals was calculated.

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:

Dr Joanna Łuczyńska, Uniwersytet Warmińsko-Mazurski, Wydział Nauki o Żywności, Katedra Towaroznawstwa i Badań Żywności, Plac Cieszyński 1, 10-726 Olsztyn, Tel./Fax: +48 (89) 5234165; e-mail: jlucz@uwm.edu.pl