Exploring the Complexities of Seafood: From Benefits to Contaminants
Seafood plays a vital role in human diets worldwide, serving as an important source of high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins and minerals that promote health and prevent various chronic conditions. The health benefits of seafood consumption are well documented, including...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Foods |
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| author | Bettina Taylor Kelvin Fynn Ofori Ali Parsaeimehr Gulsun Akdemir Evrendilek Tahera Attarwala Gulnihal Ozbay |
| author_facet | Bettina Taylor Kelvin Fynn Ofori Ali Parsaeimehr Gulsun Akdemir Evrendilek Tahera Attarwala Gulnihal Ozbay |
| author_sort | Bettina Taylor |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Seafood plays a vital role in human diets worldwide, serving as an important source of high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins and minerals that promote health and prevent various chronic conditions. The health benefits of seafood consumption are well documented, including a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, improved cognitive function, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the safety of seafood is compromised by multiple hazards that can pose significant health risks. Pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites, in addition to microbial metabolites, are prominent causes of the foodborne diseases linked to seafood consumption, necessitating reliable detection and monitoring systems. Molecular biology and digital techniques have emerged as essential tools for the rapid and accurate identification of these foodborne pathogens, enhancing seafood safety protocols. Additionally, the presence of chemical contaminants such as heavy metals (e.g., mercury and lead), microplastics, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in seafood is of increasing concern due to their potential to accumulate in the food chain and adversely affect human health. The biogenic amines formed during the microbial degradation of the proteins and allergens present in certain seafood species also contribute to food safety challenges. This review aims to address the nutritional value and health-promoting effects of seafood while exploring the multifaceted risks associated with microbial contamination, chemical pollutants, and naturally occurring substances. Emphasis is placed on enhanced surveillance, seafood traceability, sustainable aquaculture practices, and regulatory harmonization as effective strategies for controlling the risks associated with seafood consumption and thereby contributing to a safer seafood supply chain. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-090748b79f7d49ac89aa5a74b230a2de |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2304-8158 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Foods |
| spelling | doaj-art-090748b79f7d49ac89aa5a74b230a2de2025-08-20T02:30:46ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-04-01149146110.3390/foods14091461Exploring the Complexities of Seafood: From Benefits to ContaminantsBettina Taylor0Kelvin Fynn Ofori1Ali Parsaeimehr2Gulsun Akdemir Evrendilek3Tahera Attarwala4Gulnihal Ozbay5Human Ecology Department, Delaware State University, Dover, DE 19901, USAIntegrative PhD Program in Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Delaware State University, Dover, DE 19901, USADepartment of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Delaware State University, Dover, DE 19901, USACooperative Extension, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USADepartment of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Delaware State University, Dover, DE 19901, USAHuman Ecology Department, Delaware State University, Dover, DE 19901, USASeafood plays a vital role in human diets worldwide, serving as an important source of high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins and minerals that promote health and prevent various chronic conditions. The health benefits of seafood consumption are well documented, including a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, improved cognitive function, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the safety of seafood is compromised by multiple hazards that can pose significant health risks. Pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites, in addition to microbial metabolites, are prominent causes of the foodborne diseases linked to seafood consumption, necessitating reliable detection and monitoring systems. Molecular biology and digital techniques have emerged as essential tools for the rapid and accurate identification of these foodborne pathogens, enhancing seafood safety protocols. Additionally, the presence of chemical contaminants such as heavy metals (e.g., mercury and lead), microplastics, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in seafood is of increasing concern due to their potential to accumulate in the food chain and adversely affect human health. The biogenic amines formed during the microbial degradation of the proteins and allergens present in certain seafood species also contribute to food safety challenges. This review aims to address the nutritional value and health-promoting effects of seafood while exploring the multifaceted risks associated with microbial contamination, chemical pollutants, and naturally occurring substances. Emphasis is placed on enhanced surveillance, seafood traceability, sustainable aquaculture practices, and regulatory harmonization as effective strategies for controlling the risks associated with seafood consumption and thereby contributing to a safer seafood supply chain.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/9/1461seafoodnutritional benefitsfoodborne diseasesfood safety |
| spellingShingle | Bettina Taylor Kelvin Fynn Ofori Ali Parsaeimehr Gulsun Akdemir Evrendilek Tahera Attarwala Gulnihal Ozbay Exploring the Complexities of Seafood: From Benefits to Contaminants Foods seafood nutritional benefits foodborne diseases food safety |
| title | Exploring the Complexities of Seafood: From Benefits to Contaminants |
| title_full | Exploring the Complexities of Seafood: From Benefits to Contaminants |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the Complexities of Seafood: From Benefits to Contaminants |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the Complexities of Seafood: From Benefits to Contaminants |
| title_short | Exploring the Complexities of Seafood: From Benefits to Contaminants |
| title_sort | exploring the complexities of seafood from benefits to contaminants |
| topic | seafood nutritional benefits foodborne diseases food safety |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/9/1461 |
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