Research Publications (Food Safety)

Okadaic acid (OA) is one of the most potent marine biotoxins, causing diarrheal shellfish poisoning (DSP). The proliferation of microalgae that produce OA and its analogues is frequent, threatening human health and socioeconomic development. Several methods have been tested to remove this biotoxin from aquatic systems, yet none has proven enough efficacy to solve the problem.

For food safety, the concentrations and profiles of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) and tetrodotoxin were examined in economically important scallops and bloody clams collected from the coast of the Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. PSTs were the major toxins in both species. The tetrodotoxin concentration in scallops increased in summer, although the highest value (18.7 μg/kg) was lower than the European Food Safety Authority guideline threshold (44 μg/kg).

Ciguatera poisoning (CP) is the most common type of marine biotoxin food poisoning worldwide, and it is caused by ciguatoxins (CTXs), thermostable polyether toxins produced by dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa spp. It is typically caused by the consumption of large fish high on the food chain that have accumulated CTXs in their flesh.

Saxitoxin (STX), one of paralytic shellfish poison neurotoxins with high toxicity, posing a significant threat to seafood safety. Therefore, it is of great need to protect human health by screening STX contaminated seafood samples.

Filter-feeding bivalves could accumulate paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) produced by harmful dinoflagellates through diet. Despite that bivalves are resistant to these neurotoxins due to possessing PST-resistant sodium channel, exposure to PSTs-producing dinoflagellates impair bivalve survival. We hypothesized that ingesting PSTs-PSTs-producing dinoflagellates may influence the gut microbiota, and then the health of bivalves.

At the end of summer 2020, a moderate (~105 cells L−1) bloom of potential fish-killing Karenia spp. was detected in samples from a 24 h study focused on Dinophysis spp. in the outer reaches of the Pitipalena-Añihue Marine Protected Area.

Harmful cyanobacterial blooms (HCBs) are of growing global concern due to their production of toxic compounds, which threaten ecosystems and human health. Saxitoxins (STXs), commonly known as paralytic shellfish poison, are a neurotoxic alkaloid produced by some cyanobacteria. Although many field studies indicate a widespread distribution of STX, it is understudied relative to other cyanotoxins such as microcystins (MCs). In this study, we assessed eleven U.S.

Paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) are produced by marine dinoflagellates and can be accumulated in filter feeding shellfish. In this study, we assessed acute dietary exposure to PSTs among residents of Chinese coastal provinces and cities, utilizing point and probabilistic estimates. Additionally, we performed global and local spatial autocorrelation analyses to evaluate PSTs contamination and dietary exposure levels in the coastal regions of China.

Marine Takifugu pufferfish, which naturally possess tetrodotoxins (TTXs), selectively take up and accumulate TTXs, whereas freshwater Pao pufferfish, which naturally possess saxitoxins (STXs), selectively take up and accumulate STXs. To further clarify the TTXs/STXs selectivity in pufferfish, we conducted a TTX/STX administration experiment using Chelonodontops patoca, a euryhaline marine pufferfish possessing both TTXs and STXs. Forty nontoxic cultured individuals of C.

Parasitic dinoflagellates of the genus Hematodinium are known to infect various marine crustaceans worldwide, especially crabs and several species of shrimp and lobster. Some of these species are new host species and components of commercial fishery products. These parasitic species are predominantly found in the hemolymph of the host and cause pathological changes and functional damage to organs and tissues, leading to death.

The presence of yessotoxins (YTXs) was analyzed in 10,757 samples of Galician bivalves from 2014 to 2022. Only YTX and 45-OH YTX were found. YTX was detected in 31% of the samples, while 45-OH YTX was found in 11.6% of them. Among the samples containing YTX, 45-OH YTX was detected in 37.3% of cases. The maximum recorded levels were 1.4 and 0.16 mg of YTX-equivalentsg−1, for YTX and 45-OH YTX, respectively, which are well below the regulatory limit of the European Union.

Microbial interactions including competition, mutualism, commensalism, parasitism, and predation, which can be triggered by nutrient acquisition and chemical communication, are universal phenomena in the marine ecosystem. The interactions may influence the microbial population density, metabolism, and even their environmental functions. Herein, we investigated the interaction between a heterotrophic bicosoecid flagellate, Pseudobodo sp.

Brevetoxins (PbTxs) are emerging marine toxins that can lead to Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning in humans by the ingestion of contaminated seafood. Recent reports on brevetoxin detection in shellfish in regions where it has not been described before, arise the need of updated guidelines to ensure seafood consumers safety. Our aim was to provide toxicological data for brevetoxin 3 (PbTx3) by assessing oral toxicity in mice and comparing it with intraperitoneal administration.

Algal toxins pose a serious threat to human and coastal ecosystem health, even if their potential impacts are poorly documented in New Caledonia (NC). In this survey, bivalves and seawater (concentrated through passive samplers) from bays surrounding Noumea, NC, collected during the warm and cold seasons were analyzed for algal toxins using a multi-toxin screening approach. Several groups of marine microalgal toxins were detected for the first time in NC.

Abstract Background Paralytic shellfish poisoning caused by human consumption of shellfish fed on toxic algae is a public health hazard. It is imperative to implement shellfish monitoring programs to minimize the possibility of shellfish contaminated by paralytic shellfish toxins (PST) reaching the marketplace. Results A rapid detection method for PST in mussels using near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology has been proposed.

For the purpose of assessing human health exposure, it is necessary to characterize the toxins present in a given area and their potential impact on commercial species.

The first ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) in Portugal dates from 2008 when 11 people reported CFP symptoms after consuming a 30 kg amberjack caught around the Selvagens Islands (Madeira Archipelago). Since then, 49 human poisonings have been reported. The emergence of a new threat challenged scientists and regulators, as methods for toxic microalgae analyses and ciguatoxin (CTX) detection were not implemented.

The intake of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) may adversely affect human health. Therefore, this study aimed to show the prevalence of PSTs from commercially available shellfish in Zhejiang Province, China, during the period of frequent red tides, investigate the factors affecting the distribution of PSTs, and assess the risk of PST intake following the consumption of bivalve shellfish among the Zhejiang population.

Karenia mikimotoi is a common species of red tide dinoflagellate that causes the mass mortality of marine fauna in coastal waters of Republic of Korea. Despite continuous studies on the ecophysiology and toxicity of K. mikimotoi, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Red sea bream, Pagrus major, is a high-value aquaculture fish species, and the coastal aquaculture industry of red sea bream has been increasingly affected by red tides.

Cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) can have impacts on human health, aquatic ecosystems, and the economy. Nutrient management is an important mitigation and even remediation strategy. In this work, the paralytic shellfish toxin (PST)-producing Aphanizomenon (Aphan.) flos-aquae (Linnaeus) Ralfs ex Bornet & Flahault (now identified as Aphan. sp.) single filament isolate NH-5 was grown in P-depleted media, N-depleted media, and complete BG-11 media.

Okadaic acid (OA) and its analogues cause diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) in humans, and risk assessments of these toxins require toxicity equivalency factors (TEFs), which represent the relative toxicities of analogues. However, no human death by DSP toxin has been reported, and its current TEF value is based on acute lethality. To properly reflect the symptoms of DSP, such as diarrhea without death, the chronic toxicity of DSP toxins at sublethal doses should be considered.

Paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) perform a huge threat to food safety and public safety. In this study, an integrated non-targeted screening strategy was developed for the screening of PSTs and their analogues exploiting the fragmentation characteristics from ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS). First, an extensible in-house PSTs compound database was developed.

The farming of shellfish plays an important role in providing sustainable economic growth in coastal, rural communities in Scotland and acts as an anchor industry, supporting a range of ancillary jobs in the processing, distribution and exporting industries. The Scottish Government is encouraging shellfish farmers to double their economic contribution by 2030.

Perna Viridis has become a common dish in daily life. Consumption of Perna Viridis, which is contaminated with diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) toxins can cause food poisoning in humans. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a rapid and accurate method to identify Perna Viridis contaminated with DSP toxins. In this study, a non-destructive method based on near-infrared spectroscopy (NIS) is proposed to detect DSP toxin-laden Perna Viridis.

Okadaic acid (OA), a marine biotoxin produced by microalgae, poses a significant threat to mariculture, seafood safety, and human health. The establishment of a novel, highly sensitive detection method for OA would have significant practical and scientific implications. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop an innovative approach for OA detection.