Lipophilic toxin profiles detected in farmed and benthic mussels populations from the most relevant production zones in Southern Chile

Lipophilic toxins associated with diarrhoeic toxins were found in Mytilus chilensis (Blue mussels) and Aulacomya ater (Ribbed mussels). These shellfish samples were collected from Chiloe Island, Southern Chile. The samples were tested by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). After the analysis, four toxins were found: DTX-1, DTX-3, YTX and PTX. All toxins were identified by comparing their HPLC retention times with those of analytical standards and confirmed by LC-MS/MS. Dinophysistoxin-1 (DTX-1) and dinophysistoxin-3 (DTX-3) toxins were the major components within the mussel extracts. Nevertheless, the percentages of these toxins differed depending on the area they were collected from and/or the sampling date. The levels detected in Butacheuques Island for okadaic acid (OA) was 267 ± 3.5 μg OA eq kg(-1) (p < 0.05) and for DTX-3 was 183.4 ± 7.5 μg kg(-1) in ribbed mussels. Pectenotoxin (PTX) and yessotoxin (YTX) were the toxins detected in minor proportions in the toxic profile of the bivalves. The maximum concentration of YTX detected in ribbed mussels was 85.2 ± 2.8 μg kg(-1) in Mechuque Island, whereas the PTX-2 level in ribbed mussels was 82.0 ± 2.4 μg kg(-1) in Cailin Island. Analogues of YTX and PTX-2 were not detected in any of the analysed mussels, which did not support the supposed presence of isomers of toxins as a result of the enzymatic metabolism of bivalves. This study found evidence proving co-occurrence of lipophilic toxins - like PTX and YTX - with diarrhoeic toxin in samples collected in Southern Chile, which is, to date, the more complex mix of lipophilic toxins ever found in mussels samples from Southern Chile.     

Geographical and annual variation in lipophilic shellfish toxins from oysters and mussels along the south coast of Korea

To better understand critical aspects of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) occurrence in a chief producing region of bivalves in Korea, the geographical and annual variation of DSP toxins and other lipophilic toxins in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and oysters (Crassostrea gigas) were investigated by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in an area on the south coast of Korea from 2007 to 2009. The total lipophilic shellfish toxin (LST) levels in bivalves showed geographical and annual variations. LSTs were detected mostly in the hepatopancreas of mussels from Jinhae Bay throughout the entire year, except in November and December of 2007, but were almost undetectable in all samples during the entire year in 2009. The peak DSP toxin (okadaic acid plus dinophysistoxin 1) levels in the hepatopancreas of mussels from Jinhae Bay and the Tongyeong region were 945.3 and 37.6 ng/g, respectively. The DSP toxin content was about 10 times higher in mussels than in oysters collected from the same region. The major toxins in bivalves were okadaic acid and dinophysistoxin 1; however, pectenotoxin 2 or yessotoxin was occasionally detected as a major component. The results of a quantitative analysis of phytoplankton showed that Dinophysis acuminata was the most probable source of the LSTs, with the exception of yessotoxin. When the highest DSP toxin level was measured (945.3 ng/g in the hepatopancreas of mussels from Jinhae Bay), the toxin concentration in whole mussel tissue was calculated to be 114.0 ng/g. The calculated highest DSP toxin level in whole oyster tissue from both regions was 15.0 ng/g. The calculated maximum toxicities in whole mussel and oyster tissues were lower than the regulatory limit (160 to 200 ng/g) in Korea, the European Union, and the United States. Korean oysters (242 samples) and mussels (214 samples) were thus deemed safe for consumption. But because such variation was detected in a relatively small area of the coast, it is possible that at some locations or during a specific period LST levels could exceed the standard and a few consumers could be at risk of experiencing DSP.     

Brominated dioxins (PBDD/Fs) and PBDEs in marine shellfish in the UK

The occurrence of brominated dioxins (PBDD/Fs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) was investigated in commonly consumed species of marine shellfish in the UK. Individual samples of Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas), native oysters (Ostrea edulis), mussels (Mytilus edulis), scallops (Pecten maximus), and cockles (Cerastoderma edule) were collected from different coastal regions between 2006 and 2007. Samples of a particular species from each site were composited and 60 samples were analysed. Polybrominated dibenzofurans (PBDFs) occurred more frequently and generally at a higher level than polybrominated dibenzodioxins (PBDDs), except for 237-TriBDD, which was the predominant PBDD/F congener in some species, notably oysters. This profile may reflect the environmental distribution of these compounds and the effects of removal mechanisms, such as degradation, selective uptake and metabolism. PBDEs were detected in all samples. The dominant congeners were BDEs 47, 49, 99 and 100 and, to a lesser extent, BDEs 66 and 154. The occurrence of BDE-209 was observed in most samples and appears to be species selective, with the highest values occurring almost exclusively in mussels and cockles. Among the species studied, oysters and mussels displayed relatively higher levels of both sets of contaminants; native oysters, in particular, showed elevated levels of 237-TriBDD (up to 14.5 ng/kg). In general, contaminant levels appeared to be consistent with the extent of local industrialisation with lower levels observed in more remote areas such as the north of Scotland. Polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) were also measured, and PBBs 49, 52 and 77 were the most frequently detected, although levels were very low. Dietary intakes, estimated for PBDD/Fs, showed that 237-TriBDD from single portions of oysters constituted a high proportion of the total dietary intake of the congener but, otherwise, dietary intakes of PBDD/Fs from shellfish were relatively low.     

桑沟湾养殖牡蛎中贝类毒素监测及预警

利用高效液相色谱-串联质谱(high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry,HPLCMS/MS)方法监测养殖牡蛎中5种腹泻性贝类毒素与6种麻痹性贝类毒素含量变化及分布特征,分别利用HP20大孔型吸附树脂与SP700吸附树脂作为富集树脂,富集养殖海域海水中5种腹泻性贝类毒素与6种麻痹性贝类毒素,利用HPLC-MS/MS检测方法分析其中毒素含量,同步监测了养殖海域内牡蛎与海水中毒素含量,探究了两者之间的关系,建立了牡蛎内贝类毒素含量随海水内贝类毒素含量之间的变化规律。结果显示:在该海域内一共监测到OA、DTX-1、GYM、PTX-2 4种腹泻性贝类毒素与STX、dc STX两种麻痹性贝类毒素;在整个监控期内,海水中所监测贝类毒素随时间变化呈现先增长,达到峰值后逐渐降低趋势。牡蛎中毒素含量与海水中毒素含量呈正相关关系,即牡蛎内毒素的增长随海水内毒素的增长而增长,但牡蛎内毒素含量的峰值出现时间在海水中毒素含量出现峰值之后,延后时间为14 d。根据固相吸附毒素跟踪技术原理,可以提前14 d预警牡蛎内毒素含量。     

2018—2020年河北省市售贝类中麻痹性贝类毒素污染状况调查分析

目的了解2018—2020年河北省市售贝类中麻痹性贝类毒素(paralytic shellfish poison,PSP)污染状况。方法 2018年8月—2020年5月间,对河北省市售的7种双壳贝类,共508份进行检测分析。样品经0.5%乙酸水提取,石墨化碳黑固相萃取柱净化,采用高效液相色谱-串联质谱法进行检测。结果 508份样品,PSP阳性样品24份,检出率为4.7%, 15份样品超过世界卫生组织规定安全限量,超标率为3.0%。检出贝类为贻贝、毛蚶、杂色蛤、扇贝, PSP含量范围分别为217.0~13001.8μg石房蛤毒素当量(saxitoxin equivalent, STXeq/kg)、217.0~4893.2μg STXeq/kg、217.0~503.6μg STXeq/kg、217.0~11024.5μg STXeq/kg;超标贝类为贻贝、毛蚶、扇贝。贝类中检出的PSP类型有GTX1、GTX4、GTX2、GTX3、neoSTX、STX。结论河北省市售贝类麻痹性贝类毒素暴露风险整体较低,秦皇岛地区贻贝等贝类产品在4、5月份较易受到PSP污染,应持续关注,加强早期监测预警。     

Lipophilic toxin profiles detected in farmed and benthic mussels populations from the most relevant production zones in Southern Chile

Lipophilic toxins associated with diarrhoeic toxins were found in Mytilus chilensis (Blue mussels) and Aulacomya ater (Ribbed mussels). These shellfish samples were collected from Chiloe Island, Southern Chile. The samples were tested by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). After the analysis, four toxins were found: DTX-1, DTX-3, YTX and PTX. All toxins were identified by comparing their HPLC retention times with those of analytical standards and confirmed by LC-MS/MS. Dinophysistoxin-1 (DTX-1) and dinophysistoxin-3 (DTX-3) toxins were the major components within the mussel extracts. Nevertheless, the percentages of these toxins differed depending on the area they were collected from and/or the sampling date. The levels detected in Butacheuques Island for okadaic acid (OA) was 267?±?3.5?µg OA?eq?kg^?1 (p?<?0.05) and for DTX-3 was 183.4?±?7.5?µg?kg^?1 in ribbed mussels. Pectenotoxin (PTX) and yessotoxin (YTX) were the toxins detected in minor proportions in the toxic profile of the bivalves. The maximum concentration of YTX detected in ribbed mussels was 85.2?±?2.8?µg?kg^?1 in Mechuque Island, whereas the PTX-2 level in ribbed mussels was 82.0?±?2.4?µg?kg^?1 in Cailin Island. Analogues of YTX and PTX-2 were not detected in any of the analysed mussels, which did not support the supposed presence of isomers of toxins as a result of the enzymatic metabolism of bivalves. This study found evidence proving co-occurrence of lipophilic toxins – like PTX and YTX – with diarrhoeic toxin in samples collected in Southern Chile, which is, to date, the more complex mix of lipophilic toxins ever found in mussels samples from Southern Chile.     

Monitoring of shrimp and farmed fish sold in Canada for cyanobacterial toxins

Sixty-one samples of shrimp and 32 samples of farmed fish collected from retail markets across Canada were analyzed for cyanobacterial toxins, including microcystins, paralytic shellfish poisons (saxitoxins), cylindrospermopsin, and β-N-methylamino-L-alanine, using established methods of analysis. None of these toxins were detected in any of the samples. Some shrimp samples screened for paralytic shellfish poisons showed the presence of unknown peaks in the chromatogram after periodate oxidation.     

Determination of the variability of both hydrophilic and lipophilic toxins in endemic wild bivalves and carnivorous gastropods from the Southern part of Chile

The aim of this study was to analyse and determine the composition of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins and lipophilic toxins in the Region of Aysén, Chile, in wild endemic mussels (Mytilus chilensis, Venus antiqua, Aulacomya ater, Choromytilus chorus, Tagelus dombeii and Gari solida) and in two endemic carnivorous molluscs species (Concholepas concholepas and Argobuccinum ranelliforme). PSP-toxin contents were determined by using HPLC with fluorescence detection, while lipophilic toxins were determined by using LC-MS/MS. Mean concentrations for the total of PSP toxins were in the range 55–2505 μg saxitoxin-equivalent/100 g. The two most contaminated samples for PSP toxicity were bivalve Gari solida and carnivorous Argobuccinum ranelliforme with 2505 ± 101 and 1850 ± 137 μg saxitoxin-equivalent/100 g, respectively (p < 0.05). The lipophilic toxins identified were okadaic acid, dinophysistoxin-1 (DTX-1), azaspiracid-1 (AZA-1), pectenotoxin-2 (PTX-2) and yessotoxins (YTX). All analysed molluscs contained lipophilic toxins at levels ranging from 56 ± 4.8 to 156.1 ± 8.2 μg of okadaic acid-equivalent/kg shellfish together with YTX at levels ranging from 1.0 ± 0.1 to 18 ± 0.9 μg of YTX-equivalent/kg shellfish and AZA at levels ranging from 3.6 ± 0.2 to 31 ± 2.1 μg of AZA-equivalent/kg shellfish. Furthermore, different bivalves and gastropods differ in their capacity of retention of lipophilic toxins, as shown by the determination of their respective lipophilic toxins levels. In all the evaluated species, the presence of lipophilic toxins associated with biotransformation in molluscs and carnivorous gastropods was not identified, in contrast to the identification of PSP toxins, where the profiles identified in the different species are directly related to biotransformation processes. Thus, this study provides evidence that the concentration of toxins in the food intake of the evaluated species (Bivalvia and Gastropoda class) determines the degree of bioaccumulation and biotransformation they will thereafter exhibit.     

Application of HPLC for the Determination of PSP Toxins in Shellfish

A high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) procedure for determination of the toxins associated with paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) is compared to the standard AOAC mouse bioassay method on 100 shellfish samples representing a variety of species. For those samples with toxin content below the detection limit of the bioassay (35 μg saxitoxin (STX)/100g) HPLC analysis indicated a similar low level with a range of <10 to 56 μg STX/100g (n = 60). A correlation coefficient of 0.92 was determined for the 40 samples exhibiting toxicity in the bioassay (i.e., >35 μg STX/100g). Among the advantages of the HPLC method over the bioassay are significantly better sensitivity, greater sample through-put, and ability to determine the levels of each individual PSP toxin.     

麻痹性贝类毒素受体蛋白Saxiphilin的克隆与表达

目的麻痹性贝类毒素受体蛋白Saxiphilin可特异性结合麻痹性贝类毒素,本文采用杆状病毒表达载体系统对Saxiphilin进行体外表达研究。方法从牛蛙肝脏克隆得到ssziphilin基因(N端含有自身分泌信号肽),利用特异引物使其C端带上组氨酸标签。结果使用杆状病毒表达载体系统构建带有目的基因的重组病毒,用病毒感染草地贪夜蛾(Spodoptera frugiperda)细胞Sf9以表达Saxiphilin,通过优化细胞培养基中胎牛血清含量及感染时间,确定使用无血清培养基培养,重组病毒感染Sf9细胞72 h时,培养基中可溶性目的蛋白表达量最大。结论通过镍柱纯化得到Saxiphilin蛋白,以期将此蛋白进一步用于麻痹性贝类毒素的检测。     

Analysis of paralytic shellfish toxins and their metabolites in shellfish from the North Yellow Sea of China

Samples of toxic scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) and clam (Saxidomus purpuratus) collected on the northern coast of China from 2008 to 2009 were analysed. High-performance liquid chromatography with post-column oxidation and fluorescence detection was used to determine the profile of the main paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins in these samples and their total toxicity. Hydrophilic interaction liquid ion chromatography with mass spectrometric detection confirmed the toxin profile and detected several metabolites in the shellfish. Results show that C1/2 toxins were the most dominant toxins in the scallop and clam samples. However, GTX1/4 and GTX2/3 were also present. M1 was the predominant metabolite in all the samples, but M3 and M5 were also identified, along with three previously unreported presumed metabolites, M6, M8 and M10. The results indicate that the biotransformation of toxins was species specific. It was concluded that the reductive enzyme in clams is more active than in scallops and that an enzyme in scallops is more apt to catalyse hydrolysis of both the sulfonate moiety at the N-sulfocabamoyl of C toxins and the 11-hydroxysulfate of C and GTX toxins to produce metabolites. This is the first report of new metabolites of PSP toxins in scallops and clams collected in China.     

Toxin composition and toxicity dynamics of marine gastropod Nassarius spp. collected from Lianyungang,China

Consumption of nassariid gastropods often leads to poisoning incidents in some coastal provinces in China. To elucidate the pattern of toxicity dynamics and origin of toxins, samples of gastropod Nassarius spp. were collected from late May to early August 2007 from Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, where the poisoning incidents have been frequently reported. Toxicity was first screened with the mouse bioassay method, and tetrodotoxin and its analogues (TTXs) were analysed with high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with an ion-trap mass spectrometer (HPLC-MS ⁿ ). The toxicity of nassariid N. semiplicatus showed an ‘M’-shaped pattern of fluctuation during the sampling season. Two peaks of toxicity appeared in late May and late July. The maximum toxicity was recorded on 24 May, with the value of 846 mouse unit (MU) g^?1 of tissue (wet weight). TTX and its analogues trideoxyTTX, 4-epiTTX, anhydroTTX and oxoTTX were detected in the nassariid samples. TrideoxyTTX but not TTX was the major toxin in all the samples. No paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) was detected in the sample with the maximum toxicity by HPLC-FLD analysis. Variation of TTX content in the tissue of nassariid gastropods correlates well with the dynamics of toxicity. It is suggested that TTXs are the major toxins corresponding to the toxicity of the nassariids, and May and July are the high-risk seasons for consumption of nassariids, which is critical for the management of poisoning incidents.     

Analytical screening of marine algal toxins for seafood safety assessment in a protected Mediterranean shallow water environment

Microalgal species growing in marine and aquaculture environments can be responsible for harmful events because of their ability to produce potent natural toxins that can accumulate in edible mollusc species. Their consumption can cause severe illness and even be lethal. The European Union provides comprehensive regulations covering various general food safety aspects to manage the risk of contamination in shellfish farms. Many analytical methods have been proposed to evaluate algal toxins presence in the environment and in food products, for conducting surveillance studies of the main molluscs production sites and, where necessary, immediate monitoring of possible contamination of shellfish. In this work, a one-year analytical surveillance study was carried out to verify the possible presence of algal biotoxins in molluscs from a Mediterranean breeding area. Water and molluscs were sampled from a district of the North-East coast of Sicily, consisting of a unique brackish ecosystem of two lakes connected to each other and to the sea by narrow canals. Water samples were collected to investigate phytoplankton i by microscope analysis to assess the presence of potentially toxin-producing species, such as Pseudo-nitzschia spp, Alexandrium spp and Gonyaulax spinifera, although the presence of toxic phytoplankton has never reached alert levels. Mussels and clams samples were submitted to analysis of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins, amnesic shellfish poisoning toxins and lipophilic toxins by liquid chromatography-based methods Only a few yessotoxins were detected, having concentrations always below the regulation limits. An existing liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based multiresidue method for lipophilic biotoxins was adopted and extended to cover emerging biotoxins such as cyclic imines. The performance of the analytical method for Gymnodimine A and Spirolide 13-desMeC was assessed, obtaining respective quantitation limits of 20 and 10 µg kg^?1, a precision always lower than 13% and trueness in the 81–120% range. Method applicability was confirmed using certified materials and a naturally contaminated sample.     

Evidence of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxin in milkfish in South Taiwan

Natural phytoplankton blooms of the dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum, milkfish (Chanos chanos) exposed to natural blooms, sediment and mangrove crab (Scylla serrata) were analysed for paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins by high-performance liquid chromatography. The toxin profiles of milkfish and mangrove crab were similar to that of A. minutum collected from blooming fishponds. In a laboratory A. minutum-blooming environment, the stomach and intestine of milkfish accumulated paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins during the exposure period. The non-visceral tissues were non-toxic. However, milkfish lost their entire body burden of toxin on the first day of transferring to a toxic algae-free environment. The result shows that milkfish concentrate paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins in digestive organs and did not retain toxins.     

Geographical,temporal, and species variation of the polyether toxins,azaspiracids, in shellfish

Azaspiracid Poisoning (AZP) is a new toxic syndrome that has caused human intoxications throughout Europe following the consumption of mussels (Mytilus edulis), harvested in Ireland. Shellfish intoxication is a consequence of toxin-bearing microalgae in the shellfish food chain, and these studies demonstrated a wide geographic distribution of toxic mussels along the entire western coastal region of Ireland. The first identification of azaspiracids in other bivalve mollusks including oysters (Crassostrea gigas), scallops (Pecten maximus), clams (Tapes phillipinarium), and cockles (Cardium edule) is reported. Importantly, oysters were the only shellfish that accumulated azaspiracids at levels that were comparable with mussels. The highest levels of total azaspiracids (microg/g) recorded to-date were mussels (4.2), oysters (2.45), scallops (0.40), cockles (0.20), and clams (0.61). An examination of the temporal variation of azaspiracid contamination of mussels in a major shellfish production area revealed that, although maximum toxin levels were recorded during the late summer period, significant intoxications were observed at periods when marine dinoflagellate populations were low. Although human intoxications have so far only been associated with mussel consumption, the discovery of significant azaspiracid accumulation in other bivalve mollusks could pose a threat to human health.     

Zur Problematik der selektiven Erfassung von PSP-Toxinen aus Muscheln

Zusammenfassung Die Messung der PSP-Belastung (paralytic shellfish poisoning) von Schalentieren erfolgt vor allem mit Hilfe des Maus-Biotestes. Um PSP-Toxine sowohl qualitativ als auch quantitativ besser bestimmen zu können, wurden chromatographische Verfahren mit Fluorescenzdetektion entwickelt. Diese HPLC-Methoden sowie die Kopplung HPLC/MS gelangten zum Einsatz, um in spanischen Muschelkonserven ein neben Saxitoxin vermutetes zweites PSP-Toxin nachzuweisen. Es zeigte sich, daß in den 1986 in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland wegen zu hoher PSP-Konzentrationen beanstandeten Muschelkonserven vor allem Decarbamoyl-Saxitoxin enthalten war.

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The problem of the selective determination of PSP-toxins in mussels

Summary Levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins in shellfish are routinely determined by mouse bioassay: In order to improve the qualitative and quantitative determination of PSP toxins, Chromatographic techniques with fluorescence detection have been developed. These HPLC methods and the HPLC/MS coupling were used to determine a second PSP toxin which was found, in addition to saxitoxin, in canned Spanish mussels. These canned mussels were rejected in 1986 by the German food control because PSP concentrations were too high. It has been shown that these samples contained mainly dc-saxitoxin.

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Herrn Professor Dr. A. Montag zum 60. Geburtstag gewidmet     

The problem of selective determination of PSP toxins in mussels

Levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins in shellfish are routinely determined by mouse bioassay. In order to improve the qualitative and quantitative determination of PSP toxins, chromatographic techniques with fluorescence detection have been developed. These HPLC methods and the HPLC/MS coupling were used to determine a second PSP toxin which was found, in addition to saxitoxin, in canned Spanish mussels. These canned mussels were rejected in 1986 by the German food control because PSP concentrations were too high. It has been shown that these samples contained mainly dc-saxitoxin.     

Food safety implications of the distribution of azaspiracids in the tissue compartments of scallops ( Pecten maximus )

Azaspiracids, a new class of shellfish toxins, have been implicated in several recent incidents of human intoxications following the consumption of mussels ( Mytilus edulis ). A study was undertaken to examine the distribution of azaspiracid poisoning (AZP) toxins in scallops ( Pecten maximus ) and individual shellfish were dissected into five tissue fractions for the determination of toxin composition. Separation of the predominant azaspiracids, AZA1-3, was achieved using reversed-phase liquid chromatography with detection by positive electrospray multiple tandem mass spectrometry. The AZP toxin composition was determined in the adductor muscle (meat), gonad (roe), hepatopancreas (digestive glands), mantle and gill of scallops. Substantial differences in the AZP toxin levels between tissue compartments were observed and toxins were concentrated predominantly, about 85%, in the hepatopancreas. There was also a significant variation in the total toxin levels between individual scallops from the same sample batch and the RSD was 60% (n = 9). Interestingly, although all three AZP toxins were present in phytoplankton and mussels, AZA3 was not detected in the scallop samples examined. It was concluded that to improve food safety, only the adductor muscle and gonad of scallops should be permitted for sale to the public.     

Screening for the presence of lipophilic marine biotoxins in shellfish samples using the neuro-2a bioassay

The neuro-2a bioassay is considered as one of the most promising cell-based in vitro bioassays for the broad screening of seafood products for the presence of marine biotoxins. The neuro-2a assay has been shown to detect a wide array of toxins like paralytic shellfish poisons (PSPs), ciguatoxins, and also lipophilic marine biotoxins (LMBs). However, the neuro-2a assay is rarely used for routine testing of samples due to matrix effects that, for example, lead to false positives when testing for LMBs. As a result there are only limited data on validation and evaluation of its performance on real samples. In the present study, the standard extraction procedure for LMBs was adjusted by introducing an additional clean-up step with n-hexane. Recovery losses due to this extra step were less than 10%. This wash step was a crucial addition in order to eliminate false-positive outcomes due to matrix effects. Next, the applicability of this assay was assessed by testing a broad range of shellfish samples contaminated with various LMBs, including diarrhetic shellfish toxins/poisons (DSPs). For comparison, the samples were also analysed by LC-MS/MS. Standards of all regulated LMBs were tested, including analogues of some of these toxins. The neuro-2a cells showed good sensitivity towards all compounds. Extracts of 87 samples, both blank and contaminated with various toxins, were tested. The neuro-2a outcomes were in line with those of LC-MS/MS analysis and support the applicability of this assay for the screening of samples for LMBs. However, for use in a daily routine setting, the test might be further improved and we discuss several recommended modifications which should be considered before a full validation is carried out.     

Semiautomated Method for the Analysis of PSP Toxins in Shellfish

The method uses an autoanalyzer continuous flow reaction system to oxidize toxin in standard acid extracts of shellfish, prepared for mouse bioassay, to derivatives which are detected by fluorescence. Oxidation is by periodic acid under alkaline (NH₄OH) conditions and is followed by acidification by acetic acid. Concentrations of 10 μg/100g toxin and above can be measured with good reproducibility and accuracy: coefficient of variation was 9.5% for samples with 60 μg/100g or greater. Correlation with the mouse bioassay was 0.82 for 204 samples (toxin from 0–2000 μg/100g). The method is proposed to screen shellfish samples for PSP toxins with only samples falling into the range 60–250 μg/100g being subject to the more tedious and expensive mouse bioassay.