Malondialdehyde levels of frozen fish, chicken and turkey on sale in Benin City markets

75 samples of frozen turkey, chicken and fish sold in Benin City markets, Nigeria were screened for lipid peroxidation by colorimetric estimation of their malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. All samples contained extremely high levels of MDA. The order of MDA profiles was fish > turkey > chicken. MDA levels within chicken and turkey samples varied from market to market, while values for each of the 5 fish species studied were fairly comparable. Highest levels of MDA were obtained in oily fishes, Trachurus trecae and Scomber scombrus. These results and their likely implication for consumer health are discussed in relation to the well-known mutagenic and cytotoxic effects of MDA.