Selenium Levels in Yellowfin Tuna ('Thunnus albacares') and Sharks from the Carolinas

摘要

A limited survey of locally available finfishes was undertaken to satisfy requirements for a source of selenoproteins for an ongoing selenium (Se) chemical form research project. Included in these requirements was the availability of a source tissue which contained a Se concentration in excess of 5 microgram/g. Potential species were chosen on the basis of values reported in the literature for Se in selected tissues. The Se content was determined for several species of shark and yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares). The shark species observed to contain the highest liver Se concentrations were sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus), blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) and the great hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran). Yellowfin tuna samples from North Carolina also contained high liver Se concentrations.