Distribution of DSP Toxins in King Scallops (Pectin maximus) and the Effects of Current Shucking Practises on Toxin Concentrations in Edible Tissues

It is known that the presence of domoic acid, the biotoxin responsible for Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP), associated with contaminated king scallops can be reduced in the end product through effective shucking (removal of the hepatopancreas, mantle and gills). As a result, shucking has been recognised as an important process in controlling the risk of ASP and is incorporated in to the HACCP plans of most UK scallop processors. However evidence for the distribution of PSP and DSP in king scallops is lacking and the efficacy of shucking techniques in reducing the risk of these biotoxins has not been verified. <P>

This project will artificially contaminate king scallops using cultured DSP producing phytoplankton, and will determine the localisation of DSP toxins in the tissues of these bivalves. The efficacy of current shucking practices for removing these toxins from king scallops will also be established. A similar investigation on PSP toxins is being carried out under a separate project funded by FSAS (S14037).