Comparison evaluation of liquid chromatographic and bioassay methods of analysis for determination of paralytic shellfish poisons in shellfish tissues.
A liquid chromatographic (LC) method was compared with the AOAC mouse bioassay method (18.086-18.092) for determination of paralytic shellfish toxins in shellfish tissues. Shellfish samples were collected from Massachusetts coastal waters as part of a state surveillance program, and extracts of shellfish meat were analyzed for toxins by using both analytical methods. Overall correlation of the LC and bioassay methods is good (r = 0.943), but for samples with toxicities less than 100 micrograms saxitoxin/100 g shellfish meat, the correlation is significantly less (r = 0.531). Limits of detection are 10 micrograms saxitoxin/100 g shellfish meat and 40 micrograms saxitoxin/100 g shellfish meat for the LC and bioassay methods, respectively. Analytical capacity of the LC method is limited to 12 samples/person-day compared with 30 samples/person-day for the bioassay. Sampling capacity of the LC method could be increased by using a fluorescence detector with a wider response range, which would eliminate the need for dilution of concentrated samples.
Theobald Smith Research Institute, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Jamaica Plain 02130.
J E
JE
Salter
R J
RJ
Timperi
L J
LJ
Hennigan
L
L
Sefton
H
H
Reece
D000818:Animals; D049872:Bivalvia; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D008297:Male; D008387:Marine Toxins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D008460:Meat / Q000032:analysis; D051379:Mice; D010243:Paralysis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012758:Shellfish / Q000032:analysis*
D008387:Marine Toxins