Paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins in green mussels (Perna viridis) from the Gulf of Paria, Trinidad.
Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins were determined in green mussels (Perna viridis) collected from one collection site in the Gulf of Paria in Trinidad in 1999 and 2000. Aqueous extracts of PSP were purified by passage through C-18 SPE cartridges, oxidized with peroxide and periodate, respectively, then analyzed by HPLC with fluorescence detection. This procedure provided rapid and highly sensitive screening of samples for PSP toxins. Further purification of PSP-containing extracts using COOH SPE cartridges resulted in the separation and identification of individual PSP toxins. The method of analysis was validated by spike and recovery experiments, with 85-103% recoveries of mixed toxins. PSP toxins determined in our samples in both years were GTX2,3, dcGTX2,3, STX, and dcSTX, while GTX1,4 and NeoSTX were only identified in 1999 and 2000, respectively. In 1999, GTX1,4, GTX2,3 and dcGTX2,3 predominated, as compared to NeoSTX, GTX2,3 and dcGTX2,3 in 2000. However, mussel samples in 2000 contained higher total concentrations of detected PSP toxins than those of 1999. These results represent the first identification of specific PSP toxins in local shellfish and provide a basis for effective monitoring and control of these toxins in Trinidad.
Yen
Ivan Chang
IC
Department of Chemistry, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago. icyen@carib-link.net
de Astudillo
Luisa Rojas
LR
Soler
Jose Franco
JF
La Barbera-Sanchez
Amelia
A
D000818:Animals; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000737:chemistry*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005453:Fluorescence; D008387:Marine Toxins / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012530:Saxitoxin / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014300:Trinidad and Tobago
D008387:Marine Toxins; D012530:Saxitoxin