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.
Furey
Ambrose
A
PROTEOBIO, Mass Spectrometry Center for Proteomics and Biotoxin Research, Department of Chemistry, Cork Institute of Technology, Bishopstown, Cork, Ireland.
Moroney
Cian
C
Braña-Magdalena
Ana
A
Saez
Maria José Fidalgo
MJ
Lehane
Mary
M
James
Kevin J
KJ
D000818:Animals; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000737:chemistry*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005517:Foodborne Diseases; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008387:Marine Toxins / Q000032:analysis*; D010125:Ostreidae / Q000737:chemistry*; D011634:Public Health; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013141:Spiro Compounds / Q000032:analysis*; D013997:Time Factors; D000095702:Polyether Toxins
D008387:Marine Toxins; D013141:Spiro Compounds; C406592:azaspiracid; D000095702:Polyether Toxins