Metals and elements in sardine and anchovy: Species specific differences and correlations with proximate composition and size

Highlights: • Metal and elemental content depends on fish species, proximate composition and size. • Higher levels of most metals were observed in anchovy compared to sardine. • Higher levels of metals and elements can be associated with lower lipid content. • Higher levels of metals and elements can be associated with greater protein content. • Higher levels of metals and elements can be associated with smaller fish size. Species – specific differences in the levels of 26 metals and elements in sardine and anchovy are investigated and the factors of proximate composition (proteins, lipids, ash) and body size (length, weight) that may affect the metal and elemental concentrations in fish are explored. Statistical analysis revealed that levels of metals and elements in fish seem to strongly depend on species. Significantly higher levels of most of the metals and elements studied have been observed in anchovy compared to sardine at each of six different sites. The observed species-specific differences in metal content could be attributed to different proximate composition and size among other factors. The significant (positive or negative) correlations found between lipids, proteins, ash, weight, length and metals or elements, suggest that higher levels of most of the metals and elements studied can be associated with lower lipid content, greater protein and ash content and smaller size.