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.     

Assessment of MIST Alert,a commercial qualitative assay for detection of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins in bivalve molluscs

A recently developed commercial rapid test kit (MIST Alert) was assessed for determination of the presence of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins in shellfish. Several commercially important shellfish species obtained from the UK shellfish toxin monitoring program, containing a range of total PSP toxicities as determined by the mouse bioassay (MBA), were tested. The kit detected toxin in all samples containing the European Community tolerance level of 80 microg saxitoxin (STX) equivalents/100 g shellfish flesh as determined by the MBA. With one exception, the kit detected toxin in all samples that contained >40 microg STX equivalents/100 g according to the MBA. Among samples in which the MBA did not detect toxin, the kit disagreed in 25% of the tests, although further analysis by liquid chromatography (LC) and MBA of some samples confirmed the presence of toxins. These results suggest that MIST Alert may be suitable as an initial screen for PSP toxins as part of routine monitoring programs, thereby greatly reducing the number of MBAs. Trials were also performed by nonscientific personnel to evaluate the ease of use and interpretation of results obtained by MIST Alert. The results indicated that the kits could be readily used and accurately interpreted by individuals with no technical or scientific background.     

Determination of azaspiracids in shellfish using liquid chromatography/tandem electrospray mass spectrometry.

Azaspiracid (AZA1), a recently discovered marine toxin, is responsible for the new human toxic syndrome, azaspiracid poisoning (AZP), which is caused by the consumption of contaminated shellfish. A new, sensitive liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method has been developed for the determination of AZA1 and its analogues, 8-methylazaspiracid (AZA2) and 22-demethylazaspiracid (AZA3). Separation of these toxins was achieved using reversed-phase LC and coupled, via an electrospray ionisation (ESI) source, to an ion-trap mass spectrometer. Spectra showed the protonated molecules, [M + H]+, and their major product ions, due to the sequential loss of two water molecules, [M + H - H2O]+, [M + H - 2H2O]+, in addition to fragment ions that are characteristic of these cyclic polyethers. A highly specific and sensitive LC/MS(3) analytical method was developed and, using shellfish extracts containing AZA1, the detection limit (S/N = 3) was 4 pg on-column, corresponding to 0.8 ng/mL. Using the protocol presented here, this is equivalent to 0.37 ng/g shellfish tissue and good linear calibrations were obtained for AZA1 in shellfish extracts (average r2 = 0.9988). Good reproducibility was achieved with % RSD values (N = 5) ranging from 1.5% (0.75 microg/mL) to 4.2% (0.05 microg/mL). An efficient procedure for the extraction of toxins from shellfish aided the development of a rapid protocol for the determination of the three predominant azaspiracids.     

Proficiency testing of eight French laboratories in using the AOAC mouse bioassay for paralytic shellfish poisoning: interlaboratory collaborative study

In an interlaboratory study, 8 French laboratories were tested for their proficiency in using the AOAC mouse bioassay for paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). Each laboratory received 1 saxitoxin (STX) standard solution, 1 STX acidified water solution for determination of the titer, 1 noncontaminated shellfish sample, 1 naturally contaminated shellfish sample, and 2 shellfish samples spiked, respectively, at low (152.8 microg STX/100 g meat) and moderate (334.7 microg STX/100 g meat) levels. All samples were analyzed in duplicate. Mean recoveries were 35.1% for the low level and 46.6% for the moderate level. Relative standard deviations (RSD) for within-laboratory variations (repeatability) ranged from 5.4 to 9.8%; RSD for between-laboratory variations (reproducibility) varied from 7.8 to 39.6%, depending on STX level. On the basis of overall performance, all 8 participating laboratories were proficient in their use of the AOAC mouse bioassay.     

Receptor binding assay for paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins: optimization and interlaboratory comparison

A receptor binding assay (RBA) for detection of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins was formatted for use in a high throughput detection system using microplate scintillation counting. The RBA technology was transferred from the National Ocean Service, which uses a Wallac TriLux 1450 MicroBeta microplate scintillation counter, to the California Department of Health Services, which uses a Packard TopCount scintillation counter. Due to differences in the detector arrangement between these 2 counters, markedly different counting efficiencies were exhibited, requiring optimization of the RBA protocol for the TopCount instrument. Precision, accuracy, and sensitivity [limit of detection = 0.2 microg saxitoxin (STX) equiv/100 g shellfish tissue] of the modified protocol were equivalent to those of the original protocol. The RBA robustness and adaptability were demonstrated by an interlaboratory study, in which STX concentrations in shellfish generated by the TopCount were consistent with MicroBeta-derived values. Comparison of STX reference standards obtained from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the National Research Council, Canada, showed no observable differences. This study confirms the RBA's value as a rapid, high throughput screen prior to testing by the conventional mouse bioassay (MBA) and its suitability for providing an early warning of increasing PSP toxicity when toxin levels are below the MBA limit of detection.     

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.     

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 with electrospray ion-trap mass spectrometry for the determination of yessotoxins in shellfish

Yessotoxins are a group of large polyether toxins, produced by marine dinoflagellates, which cause widespread contamination of filter-feeding shellfish. A new, sensitive liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method has been developed for the determination of yessotoxin (YTX) and 45-hydroxy-yessotoxin (45-OHYTX), a major metabolite in shellfish. The LC system was coupled, via an electrospray ionisation (ESI) source, to an ion-trap MS in negative mode. The molecular related ion species at m/z 1141 [M-2Na+H]- was used as the parent ion for multiple MS experiments. MS-MS and MS3 gave major fragment ions at m/z 1061 [1141-SO3H]- and m/z 945 [1061-C9H12O]-. Predominant ions, that are due to the fragmentation of the backbone structure of YTXs, were observed at the MS4 stage. Reversed-phase LC using a C16 amide column was preferable to C18 phases for the separation of YTX and 45-OHYTX. Optimum calibration and reproducibility data were obtained for YTX using LC-MS-MS; r 2=0.9960, RSD < or = 6.3% at 0.25 microg YTX/g (n=5). The detection limit (S/N=3) was 30 pg YTX on-column which corresponded to 3 ng/g shellfish tissue.     

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.     

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.     

Liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry for determination of saxitoxin and decarbamoylsaxitoxin in shellfish

Saxitoxin (STX) and decarbamoylsaxitoxin (dcSTX) were determined by liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (Q-TOF MS). A shellfish tissue was extracted with 0.1 mol/l HCl under ultrasonication, and cleanup of extract was accomplished by solid-phase extraction with a C18 cartridge. Chromatographic separation was carried out on a C18 column (150 mm x 2.1 mm, 3.5 microm) with gradient elution of MeOH-H2O (20:80) containing 0.05% heptafluorobutyric acid and MeOH-H2O (15:85) containing 0.05% acetic acid. The protonated molecule [M + H]+ ions at m/z 257 for dcSTX and 300 for STX were selected in precursor ion scanning for Q-TOF MS in the positive electrospray ionizaion mode. Average recoveries and relative standard deviations, by analyzing samples spiked at a level of 0.1, 0.8 or 1.6 microg/g, were 84-92 and 8-14%, respectively. Identification of the presence of the toxins in shellfish tissues was based on the structural information offered by Q-TOF MS.     

Liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry--detection of lipophilic shellfish toxins

A rapid multiple toxin method based on liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC/MS) was developed for the detection of okadaic acid (OA), dinophysistoxin-1 (DTX-1), DTX-2, yessotoxin (YTX), homoYTX, 45-hydroxy-YTX, 45-hydroxyhomo-YTX, pectenotoxin-1 (PTX-1), PTX-2, azaspiracid-1 (AZA-1), AZA-2, and AZA-3. Toxins were extracted from shellfish using methanol-water (80%, v/v) and were analyzed using a C8 reversed-phase column with a 5 mM ammonium acetate-acetonitrile mobile phase under gradient conditions. The method was validated for the quantitative detection of OA, YTX, PTX-2, and AZA-1 in 4 species (mussels, Mytilus edulis; cockles, Cerastoderma edule; oysters, Crassostrea gigas; king scallop, Pecten maximus) of shellfish obtained from United Kingdom (UK) waters. Matrix interferences in the determination of the toxins in these species were investigated. The validated linear range of the method was 13-250 microg/kg for OA, PTX-2, and AZA-1 and 100-400 microg/kg for YTX. Recovery and precision ranged between 72-120 and 1-22%, respectively, over a fortification range of 40-160 microg/kg for OA, PTX-2, and AZA-1 and 100-400 microg/kg for YTX. The limit of detection, reproducibility, and repeatability of analysis showed acceptable performance characteristics. A further LC/MS method using an alkaline hydrolysis step was assessed for the detection of OA, DTX-1, and DTX-2 in their esterified forms. In combination with the LC/MS multiple toxin method, this allows detection of all toxin groups described in Commission Decision 2002/225/EC.     

New fluorimetric method of liquid chromatography for the determination of the neurotoxin domoic acid in seafood and marine phytoplankton

Domoic acid (DA) is a neurotoxic amino acid that is responsible for the human toxic syndrome, amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP). A new rapid, sensitive liquid chromatographic (LC) method has been developed for the determination of DA in various marine samples. DA in marine biological materials was derivatised with 4-fluoro-7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole (NBD-F) and analysed using isocratic reversed-phase LC with fluorimetric detection. The calibration, based on standard DA solutions, was linear in the range 0.04-2 microg/ml (r2=0.998) and the detection limit (3:1, signal/noise) was better than 1 ng/ml. Using the certified reference material (MUS-1B), recoveries of DA from shellfish tissue were >95% (n=5). When a strong anion exchange SPE cartridge was used for sample clean-up the detection limit was 6 ng DA/g mussel tissue. Good reproducibility was achieved with RSD values ranging from 3% for 8 microg DA/g (n=5), to 5% for 0.04 microg DA/g (n=5). This new method was successfully applied to the determination of DA in naturally contaminated shellfish and in marine phytoplankton cultures of Pseudonitzschia sp.     

Determination of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins in cultured microalgae by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A novel method for the determination of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection was developed. The fluorescent derivates of neosaxitoxin (neoSTX), saxitoxin (STX), gonyautoxins 1 and 4 (GTX1+4), and gonyautoxins 2 and 3 (GTX2+3) were separated on a μBondapak NH₂ column (300 mm × 3.9 mm, 10 μm) using water and acetate buffer (pH 6.5) as the mobile phase (1.00 mL min⁻¹) in gradient mode with fluorescence detection at 390 nm (excitation at 330 nm). The linear ranges of neoSTX, STX, GTX1+4 and GTX2+3 were 3.31–331, 0.952–95.2, 3.78–378 and 0.124–12.4 ng mL⁻¹, respectively. The detection limits of neoSTX, STX, GTX1+4 and GTX2+3 were 1.10, 0.32, 1.26 and 0.041 ng mL⁻¹, respectively. The method was successfully applied to the determination of PSP toxins in microalgae. The recoveries ranged from 88±2% to 107±4% and the relative standard deviations were 0.16% to 4.4%. The procedure is also environmentally friendly because no organic solvent is used in the mobile phase.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Fate of benzoate paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins from Gymnodinium catenatum in shellfish and fish detected by pre-column oxidation and liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

Several cultured strains of Gymnodinium catenatum isolated worldwide have been shown to produce important proportions of the recently discovered benzoate paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins GC1 through GC3. These toxins pose a new challenge for the HPLC analysis of shellfish predating during blooms of this microalga because due to their hydrophobicity are retained along the C18 solid-phase extraction step employed to eliminate interferences. The production of GC toxins was confirmed in a clone of G.catenatum isolated from the Portuguese Northwest coast during the winter bloom of 2005, in addition to a clone from 1989 reported previously by other authors. The major peroxide oxidation products of GC1+2 and GC3 were, respectively, dcGTX2+3 and dcSTX. The search of benzoate analogues in bivalves contaminated during the winter 2005 bloom showed these analogues constituted a minor component of the N(1)-H containing toxins, as selectively detected by peroxide oxidation. While in G.catenatum GC1-3 were the major components after C1+2 and B1, in bivalves dcGTX2+3 and dcSTX were the major components after C1+2 and B1. Similar conclusions were later extended to more shellfish species naturally contaminated during the autumn bloom of 2007. In the gut content of sardines GC toxins were present, while in crabs predating upon shellfish, these were absent. A generalised conversion of GC toxins into decarbamoyl analogues was confirmed by in vitro incubations of bivalve's digestive glands with semi-purified GC toxins. This is the first report of widespread carbamoylase activity in shellfish, exclusively targeted at benzoate PSP analogues and that is heat-inactivated. Despite the high proportion of benzoate analogues produced by G.catenatum, analyses of bivalves contaminated with PSP toxins seem to be simplified due to the important conversion of benzoate into decarbamoyl analogues that occurs in bivalves. These last analogues are detected by common HPLC methods used for food protection.     

液相色谱-串联质谱法同时测定贝类中大田软海绵酸、鳍藻毒素、蛤毒素和虾夷扇贝毒素

建立了同时测定贝类中大田软海绵酸(okadaic acid, OA)及其衍生物鳍藻毒素(dinophysistoxin-1, DTX-1)、蛤毒素(pectenotoxin-2, PTX-2)和虾夷扇贝毒素(yessotoxin, YTX)的液相色谱-串联质谱分析方法。样品经甲醇提取,固相萃取柱净化,C18色谱柱分离,经含甲酸和甲酸铵的乙腈-水溶液为流动相梯度洗脱,选择反应监测(SRM)模式检测,正、负离子切换扫描,基质标准校正,外标法定量。结果表明,OA、DTX-1和YTX的线性范围为2.0～200.0 μg/L,定量限(以信噪比(S/N)≥10计)为1.0 μg/kg; PTX-2的线性范围为1.0～100.0 μg/L,定量限为0.5 μg/kg;几种化合物的添加平均回收率为83.1%～105.7%,相对标准偏差(RSD)为3.16%～9.29%。成功应用本法对黄海灵山湾海域采集的贝类样品进行了分析,发现部分样品中含有大田软海绵酸、鳍藻毒素、蛤毒素和虾夷扇贝毒素。