title: Determination of brevetoxins in shellfish by the neuroblastoma assay.
abstract: A neuroblastoma assay for determination of brevetoxins in shellfish was developed together with a method for sample cleanup that allows separation of brevetoxins from most of the components that cause matrix interference in the assay. This improved assay method was applied to a range of shellfish samples with different characteristics. Extracts of naturally contaminated and nontoxic shellfish together with extracts spiked with known amounts of toxin were tested. The results demonstrated that brevetoxins could be reliably detected in shellfish extracts at concentrations below the regulatory limit. Brevetoxin activity was detected in 15 of 23 samples from 5 separate toxicity incidents in which shellfish tested positive in the neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP) mouse bioassay. Twelve of these positive NSP results came from 2 toxicity incidents. Yessotoxin was the major contributor to toxicity in 2 other incidents, although some samples contained both yessotoxin and brevetoxin. The sample from the remaining incident contained an unidentified toxin bioactivity, together with gymnodimine. In contrast to earlier versions of the neuroblastoma assay, gymnodimine was not detected by this modified method.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd., Kenepuru Science Centre, Porirua, New Zealand. penelope.truman@esr.cri.nz
authors.forename: Penelope
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Truman
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Stirling
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Northcote
authors.forename: Robin J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Lake
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Seamer
authors.forename: Donald J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hannah
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004988:Ethers, Cyclic / Q000032:analysis; D006575:Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring / Q000032:analysis; D006844:Hydrocarbons, Cyclic; D007097:Imines; D008387:Marine Toxins / Q000032:analysis*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D051379:Mice; D008978:Mollusk Venoms; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000473:pathology*; D009520:New Zealand; D010042:Ouabain / Q000494:pharmacology; D035964:Oxocins / Q000032:analysis*; D012015:Reference Standards; D012758:Shellfish / Q000032:analysis*; D012997:Solvents; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014701:Veratridine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000095702:Polyether Toxins
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D004988:Ethers, Cyclic; D006575:Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring; D006844:Hydrocarbons, Cyclic; D007097:Imines; D008387:Marine Toxins; D008978:Mollusk Venoms; D010042:Ouabain; D035964:Oxocins; D012997:Solvents; D014701:Veratridine; C407350:gymnodimine; C053342:brevetoxin; D000095702:Polyether Toxins; C066632:yessotoxin