Bioaccumulation and health risk assessment of phthalate esters in cultured low trophic level fish feded with food waste-based diets

The present study aimed at using different types of food waste as a protein source for the fish feeds to produce safe and quality fish. The results showed the concentrations of ∑PAEs in grass crap (0.24 μg g−1 ww) and bighead carp (0.15 μg g−1 ww) fed with Food waste B feeds (mainly containing fruit, vegetable and cereal waste) was significantly lower than those fed Food waste A feeds (mainly containing meat waste) and control feeds (p<0.05), and the highest ∑PAEs concentration (1.75 μg g−1 ww) was found in the mud carp fed with control feeds in experimental ponds (p<0.05). In addition, there was no biomagnification of PAEs in the food chains within the ponds. The health risk assessment results showed no non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks from the PAEs via ingestion of the fish fed with food waste feeds for the local residents.