Determination of Trace Elements, Heavy Metals Content, and Free Radical Scavenging Activity of the Pigments Extracted of Donax trunculus shells Gathered from Giresun Coast

The study aimed to determine free radical scavenging activity, trace elements, and the heavy metals contents of the pigments extracted from Donax trunculus shells obtained at the Giresun the Black Sea coast. Free radical scavenging activity was determined by spectrophotometric DPPH and ABTS methods. Heavy metal and trace elements of the pigments were measured by ICP-MS. Pigments scavenged DPPH and ABTS radicals. On the other hand, it determined that the pigments had rich trace element concentrations (Fe 90.78 0.01 mg/kg; Cr 71.630.01; mg/kg, Mn 40.460.01 mg/kg; Zn 5.130.01 mg/kg; Cu 3.690.01 mg/kg; Se 1.220.01 mg/kg). Heavy metal content was within acceptable limits (Ni 4.280.03 mg/kg; Co 0.670.02 mg/kg; Pb 0.690.01 mg/kg; Cd 0.3880.01 mg/kg; As 0.2840.02 mg/kg). These results suggested that D. trunculus shells, considered food waste, would be a new bio-resource for obtaining natural antioxidants and micronutrients.