title: Cyanobacterial neurotoxin β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) in shark fins.
abstract: Sharks are among the most threatened groups of marine species. Populations are declining globally to support the growing demand for shark fin soup. Sharks are known to bioaccumulate toxins that may pose health risks to consumers of shark products. The feeding habits of sharks are varied, including fish, mammals, crustaceans and plankton. The cyanobacterial neurotoxin β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) has been detected in species of free-living marine cyanobacteria and may bioaccumulate in the marine food web. In this study, we sampled fin clips from seven different species of sharks in South Florida to survey the occurrence of BMAA using HPLC-FD and Triple Quadrupole LC/MS/MS methods. BMAA was detected in the fins of all species examined with concentrations ranging from 144 to 1836 ng/mg wet weight. Since BMAA has been linked to neurodegenerative diseases, these results may have important relevance to human health. We suggest that consumption of shark fins may increase the risk for human exposure to the cyanobacterial neurotoxin BMAA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
authors.forename: Kiyo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mondo
authors.affiliation: Rosensteil School of Marine and Atmospheric Science and Policy, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33149, USA.|Leonard and Jayne Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33124, USA.|RJ Dunlap Marine Conservation Program, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33149, USA.
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hammerschlag
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Basile
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pablo
authors.affiliation: Institute for Ethnomedicine, Box 3464, Jackson Hole, WY 83001, USA.
authors.forename: Sandra A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Banack
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
authors.forename: Deborah C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Mash
mesh_terms: D000599:Amino Acids, Diamino / Q000032:analysis*; D058500:Animal Fins / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D059001:Aquatic Organisms / Q000378:metabolism*; D001267:Atlantic Ocean; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000378:metabolism*; D000087522:Cyanobacteria Toxins; D056727:Endangered Species; D005431:Florida; D005506:Food Contamination; D057097:Harmful Algal Bloom; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D017747:Seafood / Q000032:analysis; D012621:Seasons; D012754:Sharks / Q000254:growth & development*; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D000599:Amino Acids, Diamino; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D000087522:Cyanobacteria Toxins; D009498:Neurotoxins; C001824:beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine