eng Enviro Research Publishers Current Research in Nutrition and Food Science Journal 2347-467X 2322-0007 2026-05-07 14 Special Issue Sustainable Nutrition February 2026 26162 article Naufal Arshad 1 Lai Kuan Lee 1 Food Technology Division, School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Aquaculture is one of the most rapidly expanding agroindustry, and the bioaccumulation of contaminants in maricultural farms raises safety concerns, as contaminants can occur at any point in the value chain. This study aimed to quantify the presence of antibiotic and hazard contaminants in mariculture species in Penang, Malaysia. Six commercially important mariculture species, namely Caranx sexfaciatus, Epinephelus coioides, Lates calcarifer, Lutjanus argentimaculatus, Lutjanus johnii and Trachinotus blochii, have been shortlisted. The results revealed that ampicillin, streptomycin, and tetracycline were below than MDL () in the studied species.The estimated daily intake (EDI) of arsenic (As, 0.002–0.003 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹), cadmium (Cd, 0.0001–0.0002 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹), lead (Pb, 0.0003–0.0004 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹), and nickel (Ni, 0.0001 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹) remained below the Provisional Tolerable Daily Intake (PTDI) thresholds, suggesting negligible non-carcinogenic health risks from dietary exposure. However, long-term exposure assessment indicated a moderate carcinogenic risk associated with Cd,ranging from 1.1 × 10⁻³ to 9.2 × 10⁻³ over a 30-year period. Overall, while both antibiotic residues and heavy metals posed minimal immediate health concerns, Cd may present a potential long-term carcinogenic risk, warranting continuous monitoring and risk management. https://www.foodandnutritionjournal.org/vol14nospl-issue-sustainable-nutrition-2026/assessment-of-heavy-metals-and-antibiotics-contamination-in-economically-important-mariculture-species-from-penang-malaysia-with-human-health-risk-evaluation/ AMR Contaminant Food Safety Food Security Heavy Metal Mariculture Risk Assessment