Sanitary Quality of Cultured Mytilus galloprovincialis from an Algerian Aquaculture Site and Its Implications for Co-product Valorization

Abstract

Mediterranean mussel farming has become an important component of sustainable aquaculture owing to the high nutritional value of Mytilus galloprovincialis and its recognized role as a bioindicator of coastal environmental quality. This study evaluated the physicochemical and microbiological quality of farming water together with the sanitary safety of mussels collected from the Kristel aquaculture site (Oran, Algeria) to determine their suitability for human consumption and their potential valorization as a safe source of protein-rich co-products. Physicochemical parameters, microbiological indicators, and trace metals (Cu, Pb, and Hg) were determined in farming water, whereas mussel flesh was analyzed for regulatory microbiological criteria and eight trace elements (Ni, Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn, and As). Food safety was further assessed using bioconcentration factor (BCF), Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI), cumulative contamination degree (CD), Metal Pollution Index (MPI), estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI), and comparison with provisional tolerable intake values established by international authorities. All microbiological indicators in both water and mussel flesh complied with Algerian regulatory requirements or remained below the analytical detection limits. Trace metal concentrations in mussel tissues were well below the maximum limits established by Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915. Human health risk assessment revealed negligible non-carcinogenic risk, with THQ values below 1 for all investigated metals and a cumulative HI of approximately 0.046. Overall, these findings demonstrate that mussels cultivated at the Kristel aquaculture site meet current sanitary safety requirements and constitute a safe biological resource for human consumption and for the sustainable valorization of aquaculture co-products. Nevertheless, additional seasonal monitoring is recommended to confirm the long-term environmental and sanitary status of the farming area.