Review article

Control of malachite green in aquaculture products

Nina Bilandžić ; Laboratory for Residue Control, Department for Veterinary Public Health, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb
Božica Solomun Kolanović prehr. tehnol. ; Laboratory for Residue Control, Department for Veterinary Public Health, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb
Ivana Varenina biotehnol. ; Laboratory for Residue Control, Department for Veterinary Public Health, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb

Abstract

Malachite green (MG) is traditionally used as a triphenylmethane dye in the textile industry, as a pigment and a food additive. In fish
breeding, it is used as a very effective fungicide, parasiticide, antiprotozoic and bacteriocide. In fish, MG is metabolised to leucomalachite
green (LMG) which, due to its lipophilic properties, is retained in fat tissues over longer periods of time. Numerous in vitro and
in vivo studies have indicated the cytotoxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic properties of both MG and LMG. For this reason,
the use of MG is prohibited in animal species intended for human consumption in the US and EU Member States. Despite this ban, MG
is still in use in intensive fish farming, and residues of MG and LMG are the most frequently prohibited substances found in aquaculture
products. For that reason, the European Union has prescribed a minimum required performance limit (MRPL) of 2 μg/kg for the
methods used for determination of MG and LMG. MG and LMG residues in fish tissue are quantified using liquid chromatography and
liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Despite the ban in EU Member States, increased concentrations of MG and
LMG are systematically found in all species of fish and fish products. In the period from 2002 to 2011, the Rapid Alert System for Food
and Feed (RASFF) confirmed increased MG and LMG concentrations in 123 samples of fish and fish products. The highest number, 50
samples, was reported in 2005. Of the total number of positive samples, 27 samples originated from Vietnam, 12 from Indonesia, 10
from China and 3 from Thailand, i.e. 58.5% of samples with residues originated in Asia. Therefore, controls of MG and LMG are important
to protect consumer health.

Keywords

malachite green; leucomalahite green; fish; aquaculture

Hrčak ID:

89900

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/89900

Publication date:

15.8.2012.

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