Extension of the validation of AOAC Official Method 2005.06 for dc-GTX2,3: interlaboratory study

AOAC Official Method(SM) 2005.06 for the determination of saxitoxin (STX)-group toxins in shellfish by LC with fluorescence detection with precolumn oxidation was previously validated and adopted First Action following a collaborative study. However, the method was not validated for all key STX-group toxins, and procedures to quantify some of them were not provided. With more STX-group toxin standards commercially available and modifications to procedures, it was possible to overcome some of these difficulties. The European Union Reference Laboratory for Marine Biotoxins conducted an interlaboratory exercise to extend AOAC Official Method 2005.06 validation for dc-GTX2,3 and to compile precision data for several STX-group toxins. This paper reports the study design and the results obtained. The performance characteristics for dc-GTX2,3 (intralaboratory and interlaboratory precision, recovery, and theoretical quantification limit) were evaluated. The mean recoveries obtained for dc-GTX2,3 were, in general, low (53.1-58.6%). The RSD for reproducibility (RSD(r)%) for dc-GTX2,3 in all samples ranged from 28.2 to 45.7%, and HorRat values ranged from 1.5 to 2.8. The article also describes a hydrolysis protocol to convert GTX6 to NEO, which has been proven to be useful for the quantification of GTX6 while the GTX6 standard is not available. The performance of the participant laboratories in the application of this method was compared with that obtained from the original collaborative study of the method. Intralaboratory and interlaboratory precision data for several STX-group toxins, including dc-NEO and GTX6, are reported here. This study can be useful for those laboratories determining STX-group toxins to fully implement AOAC Official Method 2005.06 for official paralytic shellfish poisoning control. However the overall quantitative performance obtained with the method was poor for certain toxins.     

Influence of the sample toxic profile on the suitability of a high performance liquid chromatography method for official paralytic shellfish toxins control

An HPLC-FLD method, involving pre-chromatographic oxidation of the PSP toxins with hydrogen peroxide and periodate, has been AOAC validated through a collaborative trial and adopted as AOAC Official Method. This method could be a candidate for replacing the mouse bioassay (MBA) for the Official Control of PSP toxins at European level, once accepted by the legislation. An interlaboratory exercise has been organized by the CRLMB to evaluate its "fitness for purpose" for the Official Control of PSP toxins in the EU laboratories. Eighteen EU laboratories took part in the study and had to analyze six bivalve mollusc samples with several PSP toxic profiles. The performance of the participant laboratories in the application of this method was compared with that obtained at the collaborative trial. Information on problems/drawbacks encountered by participants in the application of this method was also sought. The HPLC validated method is only applicable for Official PSP Control for certain samples. This depends on sample PSP toxic profile. Results obtained for samples where only GTX2,3 and STX were present were satisfactory and in agreement with MBA results. Results obtained for a sample with a toxic profile dominated by GTX6 and suspected to contain also C1,2 and C3,4 were not satisfactory. GTX5 and dc-STX could be quantified, although the results achieved (total toxicity) were lower than those obtained by MBA. It can be also useful as a screening method, complementary to MBA, helping in the reduction of the animals used. However, the lack of several PSP standards, the fact that the method is not validated for all the PSP toxins, and several drawbacks found in its application are a handicap to fully implement it for Official PSP Control as a viable replacement for bioassay.     

Comparison of AOAC 2005.06 LC official method with other methodologies for the quantitation of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins in UK shellfish species

A refined version of the pre-column oxidation liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (ox-LC-FLD) official method AOAC 2005.06 was developed in the UK and validated for the determination of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins in UK shellfish. Analysis was undertaken here for the comparison of PSP toxicities determined using the LC method for a range of UK bivalve shellfish species against the official European reference method, the PSP mouse bioassay (MBA, AOAC 959.08). Comparative results indicated a good correlation in results for some species (mussels, cockles and clams) but a poor correlation for two species of oysters (Pacific oysters and native oysters), where the LC results in terms of total saxitoxin equivalents were found to be on average more than double the values determined by MBA. With the potential for either LC over-estimation or MBA under-estimation, additional oyster and mussel samples were analysed using MBA and ox-LC-FLD together with further analytical and functional methodologies: a post-column oxidation LC method (LC-ox-FLD), an electrophysiological assay and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection. Results highlighted a good correlation among non-bioassay results, indicating a likely cause of difference was the under-estimation in the MBA, rather than an over-estimation in the LC results.     

Quantitative determination of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins in shellfish using prechromatographic oxidation and liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection: collaborative study

A collaborative study was conducted for the determination of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins in shellfish. The method used liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection after prechromatographic oxidation of the toxins with hydrogen peroxide and periodate. The PSP toxins studied were saxitoxin (STX), neosaxitoxin (NEO), gonyautoxins 2 and 3 (GTX2,3; together), gonyautoxins 1 and 4 (GTX1,4; together), decarbamoyl saxitoxin (dcSTX), B-1 (GTX5), C-1 and C-2 (C1,2; together), and C-3 and C-4 (C3,4; together). B-2 (GTX6) toxin was also included, but for qualitative identification only. Mussels, both blank and naturally contaminated, were mixed and homogenized to provide a variety of PSP toxin mixtures and concentration levels. The same procedure was followed with clams, oysters, and scallops. Twenty-one test samples in total were sent to 21 collaborators who agreed to participate in the study. Results were obtained from 18 laboratories representing 14 different countries. It is recommended that the method be adopted First Action by AOAC INTERNATIONAL.     

Single-laboratory validation of a refined AOAC HPLC method 2005.06 for oysters, cockles, and clams in U.K. shellfish

In 2009, a refined HPLC method based on AOAC Official Method 2005.06 was developed and validated for the determination of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) in mussels. A single-laboratory validation study of this method was undertaken here for the analysis of PSP toxins in oysters, cockles, clams, and razor clams. The method was characterized for selectivity, sensitivity, linearity, precision, repeatability, recovery, ruggedness, and uncertainty of measurement. Validation data were utilized to determine method performance characteristics for non-mussel bivalves for all commercially available certified reference toxins, extending the method to dcNEO and dcGTX2,3, where available. A period of parallel testing of oysters, cockles, and clams enabled a comparison of sample toxicities obtained using mouse bioassay (MBA) and HPLC methodologies, although only a very low number of PSP-positive samples were obtained through the United Kingdom official control monitoring program. Results from the MBA and HPLC methods were well-correlated for PSP-negative samples, but the low number of naturally contaminated PSP-positive samples has prevented any comparative statistical assessment of method performance for non-mussels between the two official methods. However, some evidence for potentially significant differences in total saxitoxin equivalents obtained by the two methods in some species has highlighted the need for further comparative testing in non-mussel samples to be conducted prior to implementation of the HPLC method in routine official control monitoring programs.     

Quantitative determination of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins in shellfish using prechromatographic oxidation and liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection: interlaboratory study

An interlaboratory study was conducted for the determination of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins in shellfish. The method used liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection after prechromatographic oxidation of the toxins with hydrogen peroxide and periodate. The PSP toxins studied were saxitoxin (STX), neosaxitoxin (NEO), gonyautoxins 2 and 3 (GTX2,3 together), gonyautoxins 1 and 4 (GTX1,4 together), decarbamoyl saxitoxin (dcSTX), B-1 (GTX5), C-1 and C-2 (C1,2 together), and C-3 and C-4 (C3,4 together). B-2 (GTX6) toxin was also included, but for qualitative identification only. Samples of mussels, both blank and naturally contaminated, were mixed and homogenized to provide a variety of PSP toxin mixtures and concentration levels. The same procedure was followed with samples of clams, oysters, and scallops. Twenty-one samples in total were sent to 21 collaborators who agreed to participate in the study. Results were obtained from 18 laboratories representing 14 different countries.     

Liquid chromatography post-column oxidation (PCOX) method for the determination of paralytic shellfish toxins in mussels, clams, oysters, and scallops: collaborative study

Sixteen laboratories participated in a collaborative study to evaluate method performance parameters of a liquid chromatographic method of analysis for paralytic shellfish toxins (PST) in blue mussels (Mytilus edulis), soft shell clams (Mya arenaria), sea scallops (Placopectin magellanicus), and American oysters (Crassostrea virginicus). The specific analogs tested included saxitoxin, neosaxitoxin, gonyautoxins-1 to -5, decarbamoyl-gonyautoxins-2 and -3, decarbamoyl-saxitoxin, and N-sulfocarbamoyl-gonyautoxin-2 and -3. This instrumental technique has been developed as a replacement for the current AOAC biological method (AOAC Official Method 959.08) and an alternative to the pre-column oxidation LC method (AOAC Official Method 2005.06). The method is based on reversed-phase liquid chromatography with post-column oxidation and fluorescence detection (excitation 330 nm and emission 390 nm). The shellfish samples used in the study were prepared from the edible tissues of clams, mussels, oysters, and scallops to contain concentrations of PST representative of low, medium, and high toxicities and with varying profiles of individual toxins. These concentrations are approximately equivalent to 1/2 maximum level (ML), ML, or 2xML established by regulatory authorities (0.40, 0.80, and 1.60 mg STX diHCl eq/kg, respectively). Recovery for the individual toxins ranged from 104 to 127%, and recovery of total toxin averaged 116%. Horwitz Ratio (HorRat) values for individual toxins in the materials included in the study were generally within the desired range of 0.3 to 2.0. For the estimation of total toxicity in the test materials, the reproducibility relative standard deviation ranged from 4.6 to 20%. A bridging study comparing the results from the study participants using the post-column oxidation (PCOX) method with the results obtained in the study director's laboratory on the same test materials using the accepted reference method, the mouse bioassay (MBA; AOAC Official Method 959.08), showed that the average ratio of results obtained from the two methods was 1.0. A good match of values was also achieved with a new certified reference material. The results from this study demonstrated that the PCOX method is a suitable method of analysis for PST in shellfish tissue and provides both an estimate of total toxicity, equivalent to that determined using the MBAAOAC Official Method 959.08, and a detailed profile of the individual toxin present in the sample.     

Rapid liquid chromatography for paralytic shellfish toxin analysis using superficially porous chromatography with AOAC Official Method 2005.06

The bioaccumulation of paralytic shellfish toxins in mussels, oysters, cockles, hard clams, razors, and king scallops is monitored in England, Scotland, and Wales by AOAC Official Method 2005.06 LC-with fluorescence detection (FLD). One of the commonly perceived disadvantages of using this method is the long turnaround time and low throughput in a busy laboratory environment. The chromatographic analysis of each sample typically utilizes a 15 min cycle time to achieve toxin oxidation product separation and column equilibration prior to subsequent analysis. A standard RP C18 analytical column, used successfully in recent years, achieves good separation with a long column lifetime. The analysis of a 40 sample qualitative screening batch takes approximately 18 h, including blanks, standards, and other QC samples. The availability of superficially porous column technology has offered the potential to reduce analysis time while retaining column performance on existing hardware. In this study, AOAC Official Method 2005.06 with LC-FLD was transferred to two different commercially available superficially porous columns, and the method performance characteristics were evaluated. Both columns separated all toxins adequately with cycle times less than half that of the existing method. Linearity for each toxin was acceptable up to two times the European maximum permitted limit of 800 microg di-HCl saxitoxin equivalent/kg flesh. LOD and LOQ values were substantially improved for the majority of toxins, with gonyautoxin 1&4 and neosaxitoxin showing up to a two- and fourfold improvement, respectively, depending on the column used. Quantification results obtained from parallel analysis of contaminated samples were acceptable on both columns. Comparative screen results gave a slight increase in the occurrence of contaminated samples, which was attributed to the improved detection limit for most toxins. Issues with rapidly increasing back pressure, however, were identified with both columns, with a limit of around 500 injections. This compares to the >3000 cycles routinely obtained with the standard RP-C18 HPLC columns currently in use. Overall, the gain achieved with these columns through shorter analysis time and improved analytical sensitivity is potentially of benefit in a high-throughput environment. For the routine high-throughput screening of shellfish samples, however, an improved column lifetime is desirable.     

Open-sandwich immunoassay for sensitive and broad-range detection of a shellfish toxin gonyautoxin

At present, the analytical method for paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins in shellfish is the mouse bioassay (MBA), which is an official method of the Association of Analytical Communities (AOAC [8]). However, the low sensitivity and concerns over the number of live animals required for testing have been cited as the major reason for seeking its replacement. In this report, we employed an open-sandwich immunoassay (OS-IA) to detect gonyautoxin (GTX2/3), a kind of PSP toxins. OS-IA, which utilizes the antigen-induced enhancement of antibody V_H/V_L interaction, can measure a small molecule antigen in a noncompetitive format. Hence it has a wider working range and shorter measurement time. We isolated anti-GTX2/3 antibody gene from a hybridoma GT-13A by screening a Fab-displaying phage library. Then the vectors for OS-IA were constructed, and examined for antigen concentration-dependency of the V_H/V_L interaction by OS-ELISA. As a result, in each case, signal intensity increases notably in a wide concentration range (0.1 to >1000 ng mL⁻¹) of free GTX2/3, which was enough to cover its regulation value (80 μg 100 g⁻¹) in many countries. So OS-IA will be widely applicable to detect PSP toxins in shellfish meats and in drinking water.     

Quantitative determination of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins in shellfish by using prechromatographic oxidation and liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

The prechromatographic oxidation LC method developed by Lawrence [J. Assoc. Off. Anal. Chem. 74, 404-409(1991)] for the determination of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins has been tested for the quantitative determination of PSP toxins in shellfish. All aspects of the method were studied and modified as necessary to improve its performance for routine regulatory purposes. The chromatographic conditions were changed to shorten analysis time. The oxidation reaction was tested for repeatability and the influence of the sample matrix on quantitation. An important part of the study was to quantitatively evaluate an ion exchange (-COOH) cleanup step using disposable solid-phase extraction cartridges that separated the PSP toxins into 3 distinct groups for quantitation, namely the C toxins, the GTX toxins, and the saxitoxin group. The cleanup step was very simple and used increasing concentrations of aqueous NaCl for elution of the toxins. The C toxins were not retained by the cartridges and thus were eluted unretained with water. The GTX toxins (GTX1 to GTX6 as well as dcGTX2 and dcGTX3) eluted from the cartridges with 0.05M NaCl while the saxitoxin group (saxitoxin, neosaxitoxin, and dcsaxitoxin) required 0.3M NaCl for elution. Each fraction was analyzed by LC after oxidation with periodate or peroxide. All of the compounds could be separated and quantitatively determined in spiked samples of mussels, clams, and oysters. The nonhydroxylated toxins could be quantitated at concentrations as low as about 0.02 microg/g (2 micro/100 g) of tissue while the hydroxylated toxins could be quantitated at concentrations as low as about 0.1 microg/g (10 microg/100 g). Average recoveries of the toxins through the complete cleanup procedure were 85% or greater for spiked extracts of oysters and clams and greater than 73% for mussels.     

Preparation of mixtures of paralytic shellfish toxin (PSP) standards from mussel hepatopancreas

Summary The development and application of chemical methods for monitoring paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) in coastal waters requires the availability of pure PSP standards. However only a few toxins are commercially available and only very small amounts of some of the other 18 PSP toxins identified are available at some research laboratories. A project is currently in progress for the isolation and purification of significant quantities of PSP toxins from contaminated mussels under the auspices of the Community Bureau of Reference of the Commission of the European Communities (BCR Programme). The PSP toxins from hepatopancreas of 500 kg of whole mussel were extracted and purified, and the following toxin profile was determined using a method based on Oshima et al. [1] GTX1, (24%), GTX2 (<1%), GTX3 (<1%), GTX4 (2.4%), GTX5 (5.8%), GTX6 (35.4%), C1 (11.5%), C2 (1.22%), neo-STX (11.4%), dc-STX (6.2%) and STX (2.4%). These toxins can be separated into three different fractions (STX-group, GTX-group and C-group), before proceeding to the purification of the individual toxins.     

Marine and freshwater toxins

In a very busy and exciting year, 2005 included First Action approval of a much needed official method for paralytic shellfish toxins and multiple international toxin symposia highlighted by groundbreaking research. These are the first-year milestones and activities of the Marine and Freshwater Toxins Task Force and Analytical Community. Inaugurated in 2004 and described in detail in last year's General Referee Report (1) this international toxins group has grown to 150 members from many regions and countries. Perhaps most important they are now making important and global contributions to food safety and to providing alternatives to animal-based assays. Official Method 2005.06 was first approved in late 2004 by the Task Force and subsequently Official First Action in 2005 (2) by the Methods Committee on Natural Toxins and Food Allergens and the Official Methods Board. This nonproprietary method (3) is a precolumn oxidation, liquid chromatographic method that makes good use of fluorescence detection to provide high sensitivity detection of the saxitoxins. It has also proven to be rugged enough for regulatory use and the highest level of validation. As pointed out in the report of method principle investigator and Study Director James Lawrence, approval of 2005.06 now provides the first official alternative to the mouse bioassay after many decades of shellfish monitoring. This past year in April 2005 the group also held their first international conference, "Marine and Freshwater Toxins Analysis: Ist Joint Symposium and AOAC Task Force Meeting," in Baiona, Spain. The 4-day conference consisted of research and stakeholder presentations and symposium-integrated subgroup sessions on ciguatoxins, saxitoxin assays and liquid chromatography (LC) methods for saxitoxins and domoic acids, okadaiates and azaspiracids, and yessotoxins. Many of these subgroups were recently formed in 2005 and are working towards their goals of producing officially validated analytical methods. (Abstracts from the Baiona 2005 meeting cited in this report can be found in the online version of the conference abstract book in the Files and Folders section of the Marine and Freshwater Toxins online community at www.aoac.org.) An active topic for discussion in Baiona and subsequent Task Force activities was the expert consultation for Codex which met in Oslo, Norway in 2004 (previously described and cited in last year's GR report, ref 1). The consultation group's executive summary report (http://www.fao.org/es/ESN/food/risk_biotoxin en.stm) describes suggested changes in action levels as well as methods, method validation, and other issues. September 2005 saw the AOAC Task Force efforts further supported by another symposium, "Marine and Freshwater Toxins: Quality Methods for Food Safety and International Trade," at the AOAC INTERNATIONAL Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida. The multidisciplinary talks at this full day symposium ranged from ciguatoxins to cyanobacterial toxins, and spanned toxicology, biochemistry, molecular biology and analytical chemistry. Again, the symposium preceded Task Force meetings. Toxin subgroups, including a new group on cyanobacterial toxins, met for engaging and productive subgroup discussions. All of these activities were preceded by a Wiley Award symposium for Task Force member Mike Quilliam of NRC Canada. These talks, presented at a half-day symposium on the first day of the Annual Meeting, focused on Quilliam's work with LC tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) and certified reference standards and materials, and included related presentations by some of his many research collaborators. To maintain flow and continuity between symposia and between Task Force meetings, the group now uses new electronic discussion forums. Individual subgroup areas, under the Marine and Freshwater Toxins Task Force, comprise this online community. First introduced by AOAC INTERNATIONAL in early 2005, these new resources are being used to distribute information and to supplement the in-person subgroup meetings and electronic mail in the group's validation efforts.     

香港海域毒性微藻Alexandium tamarense的麻痹性贝毒研究

对从香港海域底坭分离并培养的毒性微藻塔玛亚历山大藻（Alexandiumtamareuse）的毒性和麻痹性贝毒素的组成进行研究。由生物试验测得其毒性为4．11×10－6MU／cell，用高效液相色谱分析毒素的组成，结果表明所含麻痹性贝毒成分主要是膝沟藻毒素－2（GTX2），含量为94.13pg／cell，本研究所用的微藻毒素提取方法和高效液相色谱分析方法都比较容易和有效。     

Rapid postcolumn methodology for determination of paralytic shellfish toxins in shellfish tissue

A rapid liquid chromatographic (LC) method with postcolumn oxidation and fluorescence detection (excitation 330 nm, emission 390 nm) for the determination of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) in shellfish tissue has been developed. Extracts prepared for mouse bioassay (MBA) were treated with trichloroacetic acid to precipitate protein, centrifuged, and pH-adjusted for LC analysis. Saxitoxin (STX), neoSTX (NEO), decarbamoylSTX (dcSTX), and the gonyautoxins, GTX1, GTX2, GTX3, GTX4, GTX5, dcGTX2, and dcGTX3, were separated on a polar-linked alkyl reversed-phase column using a step gradient elution; the N-sulfocarbamoyl GTXs, C1, C2, C3, and C4, were determined on a C-8 reversed-phase column in the isocratic mode. Relative toxicities were used to determine STX-dihydrochloride salt (diHCl) equivalents (STXeq). Calibration graphs were linear for all toxins studied with STX showing a correlation coefficient of 0.999 and linearity between 0.18 and 5.9 ng STX-diHCI injected (equivalent to 3.9-128 microg STXeq/100 g in tissue). Detection limits for individual toxins ranged from 0.07 microg STXeq/100 g for C1 and C3 to 4.1 microg STXeq/100 g for GTX1. Spike recoveries ranged from 76 to 112% in mussel tissue. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of repeated injections of GTX and STX working standard solutions was < 4%. Uncertainty of measurement at a level of 195 microg STXeq/100 g was 9%, and within-laboratory reproducibility expressed as RSD was 4.6% using the same material. Repeatability of a 65 microg STXeq/100 g sample was 3.0% RSD. Seventy-three samples were analyzed by the new postcolumn method and both AOAC Official Methods for PST determination: the MBA (y = 1.22x + 13.99, r2 = 0.86) and the precolumn LC oxidation method of Lawrence (y = 2.06x + 12.21, r2 = 0.82).     

Effect of pH on the oxidation of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins for analysis by liquid chromatography

The effect of pH on the oxidation of individual PSP toxins using both periodate and peroxide oxidations was studied. It was found that the optimum pH for individual toxins varied considerably. For periodate oxidations, pH 8.2 produced the maximum yield of fluorescent products for neosaxitoxin and GTX1/GTX4 while the non-hydroxylated toxins (saxitoxin, GTX2/GTX3, decarbamoyl saxitoxin, GTX5) showed optimum pHs from about pH 10-11.5. Neosaxitoxin and GTX1/GTX4 did not produce significant fluorescent oxidation products with peroxide oxidation at any of the pHs studied (pH 8.2-12.8). The non-hydroxylated toxins all showed optimum pHs above pH 12 with peroxide oxidation. Yields of fluorescent products of these toxins decreased substantially at pHs below pH 12. Neosaxitoxin and GTX1/GTX4 each produced three product peaks at pH 8.2 with periodate oxidation. There was no pH where these toxins produced predominantly a single oxidation product. Decarbamoyl saxitoxin always produced two oxidation products with both oxidation reactions at the pHs studied. However, the relative yields of the products changed with pH. At low pH the second eluting product predominated, while at higher pH values the first eluting product predominated. This pattern was observed for both oxidation reactions. The other non-hydroxylated toxins produced mainly single unique products with both oxidation reactions over the pH range studied. No single pH was found optimum for the oxidation of both hydroxylated and non-hydroxylated toxins without a significant compromise in yield of oxidation products. This has implications for the post column oxidation liquid chromatographic methods, since small changes in pH of the post column oxidant can both positively and negatively affect the yields of oxidation products of toxin mixtures leading to increased error in the subsequent quantitation of these compounds.     

Analysis of paralytic shellfish poisons by capillary electrophoresis

A capillary electrophoresis (CE) method with UV detection is described for the separation and determination of underivatized toxins associated with paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). Confirmation of the electrophoretic peaks was facilitated by mass spectrometric (MS) detection using an ionspray CE-MS interface and by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The determination of PSP toxins, such as saxitoxin and neosaxitoxin, in toxic dinoflagellates and scallops is demonstrated and comparisons are made with existing techniques.     

Separation of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins on Chromarods-SIII by thin-layer chromatography with the Iatroscan (mark 5) and flame thermionic detection.

Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) on Chromarods-SIII with the Iatroscan (Mark-5) and a flame thermionic detector (FTID) was used to develop a rapid method for the detection of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins. The effect of variation in hydrogen (H2) flow, air flow, scan time and detector current on the FTID peak response for both phosphatidylcholine (PC) and PSP were studied in order to define optimum detection conditions. A combination of hydrogen and air flow-rates of 50 ml/min and 1.5-2.0 l/min respectively, along with a scan time of 40 s/rod and detector current of 3.0 A (ampere) or above were found to yield the best results for the detection of PSP compounds. Increasing the detector current level to as high as 3.3 A gave about 130 times more FTID response than did flame ionization detection (FID), for PSP components. Quantities of standards as small as 1 ng neosaxitoxin (NEO), 5 ng saxitoxin (STX), 5 ng B1-toxins (B1), 2 ng gonyautoxin (GTX) 2/3, 6 ng GTX 1/4 and 6 ng C-toxins (C1/C2) could be detected with the FTID. The method detection limits for toxic shellfish tissues using the FTID were 0.4, 2.1, 0.8 and 2.5 micrograms per g tissue for GTX 2/3, STX, NEO and C toxins, respectively. The FTID response increased with increasing detector current and with increasing the scan time. Increasing hydrogen and air flow-rates resulted in decreasing sensitivity within defined limits. Numerous solvent systems were tested, and, solvent consisting of chloroform: methanol-water-acetic acid (30:50:8:2) could separate C toxins from GTX, which eluted ahead of NEO and STX. Accordingly, TLC/FTID with the Iatroscan (Mark-5) seems to be a promising, relatively inexpensive and rapid method of screening plant and animal tissues for PSP toxins.     

Determination and confirmation of the amnesic shellfish poisoning toxin, domoic acid, in shellfish from Scotland by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry

During 1998 and early 1999, shellfish samples from sites in Scotland were found to contain the amnesic shellfish poisoning toxin, domoic acid (DA). Two different techniques, liquid chromatography (LC) with UV diode-array detection and LC with mass spectrometric (MS) detection, were used to detect and confirm DA in shellfish extracts. The LC/UV method was validated for routine monitoring by recovery experiments on spiked mussel and scallop tissues with a certified mussel tissue used as reference material. Crude extracts of selected samples as well as extracts cleaned with strong anion exchange (SAX) were analyzed by both LC/UV and LC/MS. Good correlation (linear regression r2 = 0.996, slope = 0.93) between the 2 methods was found for cleaned extracts. Analyses of crude extracts by LC/UV produced false-positive results in 2 crab samples, whereas LC/MS analyses gave accurate results. It was concluded that LC/UV is a valid approach for routine monitoring of DA in shellfish when cleanup is performed with a SAX cartridge to prevent false positives. A variety of shellfish species were surveyed for DA content, including Pecten maximus (king scallops), Chlamys opercularis (queen scallop), Mytilus edulis (blue mussels), Cancer pugaris (crab), and Ensis ensis (razor fish). The highest concentration of DA was 105 microg/g in Pecten maximus.     

Development and single laboratory validation of an optical biosensor assay for tetrodotoxin detection as a tool to combat emerging risks in European seafood

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent neurotoxin emerging in European waters due to increasing ocean temperatures. Its detection in seafood is currently performed as a consequence of using the Association of Analytical Communities (AOAC) mouse bioassay (MBA) for paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins, but TTX is not monitored routinely in Europe. Due to ethical and performance-related issues associated with this bioassay, the European Commission has recently published directives extending procedures that may be used for official PSP control. An AOAC-accredited high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method has now been accepted by the European Union as a first action screening method for PSP toxins to replace the MBA. However, this AOAC HPLC method is not capable of detecting TTX, so this potent toxin would be undetected; thereby, a separate method of analysis is required. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) optical biosensor technology has been proven as a potential alternative screening method to detect PSP toxins in seafood. The addition of a similar SPR inhibition assay for TTX would complement the PSP assay in removing the MBA. The present report describes the development and single laboratory validation in accordance with AOAC and IUPAC guidelines of an SPR method to be used as a rapid screening tool to detect TTX in the sea snail Charonia lampas lampas, a species which has been implicated in 2008 in the first case of human TTX poisoning in Europe. As no current regulatory limits are set for TTX in Europe, single laboratory validation was undertaken using those for PSP toxins at 800 μg/kg. The decision limit (CCα) was 100 μg/kg, with the detection capability (CCβ) found to be ≤200 μg/kg. Repeatability and reproducibility were assessed at 200, 400, and 800 μg/kg and showed relative standard deviations of 8.3, 3.8, and 5.4 % and 7.8, 8.3, and 3.7 % for both parameters at each level, respectively. At these three respective levels, the recovery of the assay was 112, 98, and 99 %.     

Comparison of biosensor platforms for surface plasmon resonance based detection of paralytic shellfish toxins

Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins are produced by certain marine dinoflagellates and may accumulate in bivalve molluscs through filter feeding. The Mouse Bioassay (MBA) is the internationally recognised reference method of analysis, but it is prone to technical difficulties and regarded with increasing disapproval due to ethical reasons. As such, alternative methods are required. A rapid surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor inhibition assay was developed to detect PSP toxins in shellfish by employing a saxitoxin polyclonal antibody (R895). Using an assay developed for and validated on the Biacore Q biosensor system, this project focused on transferring the assay to a high-throughput, Biacore T100 biosensor in another laboratory. This was achieved using a prototype PSP toxin kit and recommended assay parameters based on the Biacore Q method. A monoclonal antibody (GT13A) was also assessed. Even though these two instruments are based on SPR principles, they vary widely in their mode of operation including differences in the integrated μ-fluidic cartridges, autosampler system, and sensor chip compatibilities. Shellfish samples (n = 60), extracted using a simple, rapid procedure, were analysed using each platform, and results were compared to AOAC high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and MBA methods. The overall agreement, based on statistical 2 × 2 comparison tables, between each method ranged from 85% to 94.4% using R895 and 77.8% to 100% using GT13A. The results demonstrated that the antibody based assays with high sensitivity and broad specificity to PSP toxins can be applied to different biosensor platforms.