The development of reference materials for paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins in lyophilized mussel. II: Certification study

This paper describes the second part of a project undertaken to develop certified mussel reference materials for paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins. In the first part two interlaboratory studies were undertaken to investigate the performance of the analytical methodology for several PSP toxins, in particular saxitoxin and decarbamoyl-saxitoxin in lyophilized mussels, and to set criteria for the acceptance of results to be applied during the certification exercise. Fifteen laboratories participated in this certification study and were asked to measure saxitoxin and decarbamoyl-saxitoxin in rehydrated lyophilized mussel material and in a saxitoxin-enriched mussel material. The participants were allowed to use a method of their choice but with an extraction procedure to be strictly followed. The study included extra experiments to verify the detection limits for both saxitoxin and decarbamoyl-saxitoxin. Most participants (13 of 15) were able to meet all the criteria set for the certification study. Results for saxitoxin.2HCl yielded a certified mass fraction of <0.07 mg/kg in the rehydrated lyophilized mussels. Results obtained for decarbamoyl-saxitoxin.2HCl yielded a certified mass fraction of 1.59+/-0.20 mg/kg. The results for saxitoxin.2HCl in enriched blank mussel yielded a certified mass fraction of 0.48 +/- 0.06 mg/kg. These certified reference materials for paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins in lyophilized mussel material are the first available for laboratories to test their method for accuracy and performance.     

Proficiency studies on the determination of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins in shellfish.

Paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins are produced by dinoflagellates. Shellfish filtering these unicellular algae will accumulate the toxins and pose a health risk when consumed by man. In the European Union, paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins in bivalve molluscs are regulated at a maximum content of 80 microg/100 g (91/492/EEC). The current reference method in the European Union is the mouse bioassay, but alternative methods including the liquid chromatography methodology are preferred for ethical reasons. Analyses of suspected shellfish batches revealed, however, unacceptable differences in results reported by a small group of Dutch laboratories all using liquid chromatography methods with precolumn derivatization, followed by fluorescence detection. Therefore, a series of proficiency studies were undertaken among these laboratories. In the first three studies, participants were more or less allowed their own choice of method execution details. This approach yielded unsatisfactory results. A fourth study was then initiated in which a standardized method was mandatory. Two types of test material were used in the fourth study: lyophilized Cardium tuberculatum material containing saxitoxin (STX) and decarbamoyl-saxitoxin (dc-STX), and lyophilized mussel material containing dc-STX. The latter material was investigated in an interlaboratory study involving 15 participants and was considered as the reference material. Among the four laboratories, coefficients of variation (ANOVA) for C. tuberculatum material were 10% (n = 11) and 9% (n = 12) for STX and dc-STX, respectively, and for the reference material was 8% (n = 12) for dc-STX. The joint efforts showed that variability in analysis results between laboratories that all apply more or less the same method can be drastically improved if the methodology is rigorously standardized.     

VARIED ASSAYS FOR PSP TOXINS IN HEAT SHOCKED PHILIPPINE GREEN MUSSELS (PERNA VIRIDIS)

Toxin assays namely: the mouse bioassay, the receptor binding assay (RBA) and, the immuno-chromatography assay using MIST Alert™ rapid test kit were used to determine the concentrations of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) toxins from untreated and heat shocked Philippine green mussels, Perna viridis contaminated with Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum. Toxin levels ranging from 4–15 μg STXeq/100 g sample were quantified in the mussel samples analyzed using RBA. Higher levels of PSP toxins at about 30 μg STX eq/100 g sample were recorded using mouse bioassay, which was attributed to interfering factors that could induce mouse death resulting in false positive reactions. The MIST Alert™ test kit showed positive reaction in the samples evaluated based on the reported average profile of PSP toxin analogues at about 40 μg STX eq/100 g sample. The test heat treatments did not elicit definitive change in the PSP toxin profiles of heat shocked mussels relative to the untreated samples.     

Zur Problematik der selektiven Erfassung von PSP-Toxinen aus Muscheln

Zusammenfassung Die Messung der PSP-Belastung (paralytic shellfish poisoning) von Schalentieren erfolgt vor allem mit Hilfe des Maus-Biotestes. Um PSP-Toxine sowohl qualitativ als auch quantitativ besser bestimmen zu können, wurden chromatographische Verfahren mit Fluorescenzdetektion entwickelt. Diese HPLC-Methoden sowie die Kopplung HPLC/MS gelangten zum Einsatz, um in spanischen Muschelkonserven ein neben Saxitoxin vermutetes zweites PSP-Toxin nachzuweisen. Es zeigte sich, daß in den 1986 in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland wegen zu hoher PSP-Konzentrationen beanstandeten Muschelkonserven vor allem Decarbamoyl-Saxitoxin enthalten war.

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The problem of the selective determination of PSP-toxins in mussels

Summary Levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins in shellfish are routinely determined by mouse bioassay: In order to improve the qualitative and quantitative determination of PSP toxins, Chromatographic techniques with fluorescence detection have been developed. These HPLC methods and the HPLC/MS coupling were used to determine a second PSP toxin which was found, in addition to saxitoxin, in canned Spanish mussels. These canned mussels were rejected in 1986 by the German food control because PSP concentrations were too high. It has been shown that these samples contained mainly dc-saxitoxin.

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Herrn Professor Dr. A. Montag zum 60. Geburtstag gewidmet     

The problem of selective determination of PSP toxins in mussels

Levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins in shellfish are routinely determined by mouse bioassay. In order to improve the qualitative and quantitative determination of PSP toxins, chromatographic techniques with fluorescence detection have been developed. These HPLC methods and the HPLC/MS coupling were used to determine a second PSP toxin which was found, in addition to saxitoxin, in canned Spanish mussels. These canned mussels were rejected in 1986 by the German food control because PSP concentrations were too high. It has been shown that these samples contained mainly dc-saxitoxin.     

First paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) infestation of bivalves due to toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamiyavanichii, in the southeast coasts of the Seto Inland Sea, Japan

The mussel Mytilus edulis and the cultured ark shell Anadara broughtonii in the southeast coasts of the Seto Inland Sea were contaminated with paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) following the appearance of the dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamiyavanichii in early December 1999. A. tamiyavanichii plankton collected around the Straits of Naruto on December 3, 1999 showed PSP toxicity, of which 83 mol% was accounted for by GTX2, GTX3 and GTX4. Its specific toxicity was 112.5 fmol/cell, and one MU was equivalent to 7,200 cells. Toxicity values at the beginning of toxification were 4.7 MU/g for the ark shell and 7.3 MU/g for the mussel. In the former, the value remained at almost 4 MU/g, resulting in prohibition of marketing for about two months. In the latter, it sharply decreased to less than 4 MU/g. These bivalves collected during the toxification period were dissected into five tissues, mantle, adductor muscle, hepatopancreas, gills and "others", and submitted to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The cultured ark shell accumulated GTX2, GTX3 and STX as major components and GTX1, GTX4, GTX5, neoSTX, dcSTX and PX1-3 (C1-C3) as minor ones. The amount of GTX3 decreased with time, while STX tended to increase. At the early stage of PSP toxification, toxins were accumulated in the gills and "others", most of which were quickly detoxified. On the other hand, PSP of the toxified mussel consisted of GTX4 as a main component, and GTX1, GTX2, GTX3, GTX5, STX and PX1-2 (C1-C2) as minor ones. Its toxin composition pattern was similar to that of the ingested causative plankton. Its total toxin decreased soon after disappearance of the dinoflagellate. During the decrease of toxicity, PSP tended to be retained in the hepatopancreas, resulting in accumulation of 50 mol% of total toxin.     

Matrix effect on paralytic shellfish toxins quantification and toxicity estimation in mussels exposed to Gymnodinium catenatum

Paralytic shellfish toxins were quantified in whole tissues of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis exposed to blooms of the dinoflagellate Gymnodinium catenatum in Portuguese coastal waters. A validated liquid chromatography method with fluorescence detection, involving pre-chromatographic oxidation was used to quantify carbamoyl, N-sulfocarbamoyl and decarbamoyl toxins. In order to test for any matrix effect in the quantification of those toxins, concentrations obtained from solvent and matrix matched calibration curves were compared. A suppression of the fluorescence signal was observed in mussel extract or fraction in comparison to solvent for the compounds dcGTX2 + 3, GTX2 + 3 and GTX1 + 4, while an enhancement was found for C1 + 2, dcSTX, STX, B1, dcNEO and NEO. These results showed that a matrix effect varies among compounds. The difference of concentrations between solvent and matrix matched calibration curves for C1 + 2 (median = 421 ng g?1) exceeded largely the values for the other quantified compounds (0.09-58 ng g?1). Those differences were converted into toxicity differences, using Oshima toxicity equivalence factors. The compounds C1 + 2 and dcNEO were the major contributors to the differences of total toxicity in the mussel samples. The differences of total toxicity were calculated in ten mussel samples collected during a 10-week blooming period in Portuguese coastal lagoon. Values varied between 53 and 218 μg STX equivalents kg?1. The positive differences mean that the estimated toxicity using solvent calibration curves exceed the values taking into account the matrix. For the toxicity interval 200-800 μg STX equivalents kg?1 an increase was found between 44 and 28%.     

Receptor binding assay for the detection of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins: comparison to the mouse bioassay and applicability under regulatory use

The receptor-binding assay (RBA) method for the detection of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins was evaluated for its overall performance in comparison with the mouse bioassay (MBA). An initial study to evaluate the effects of filtering shellfish extracts prior to running the RBA indicated no significant difference between filtered and unfiltered extracts on the determined saxitoxin (STX) concentrations. Next, we tested the RBA assay on 295 naturally contaminated mussel tissue samples, ranging in concentrations from 320 µg STX equiv. kg^?1 to 13,000 µg STX equiv. kg^?1 by MBA. An overall trend was observed with the RBA giving higher results (256 µg STX equiv. kg^?1 on average) than the MBA; however, at low concentrations (< 500 µg STX equiv. kg^?1) the RBA results were marginally lower. A third study was conducted using spiked mussel tissue analysed by three independent laboratories, two of which performed the RBA and one the MBA. This multi-laboratory study again showed the RBA to give higher results than the MBA; however, it also revealed that STX determination was accurate by the RBA, unlike the MBA. To optimise the assay for efficient usage under regulatory practice, three suggestions have been made: the use of an initial screening plate to separate those samples that exceed the alert level; use of rapid PSP test kits in the field and in the laboratory for screening negative samples and for early detection of toxicity; and use of an alternate commercially available porcine membrane in place of the laboratory-prepared rat membrane homogenate. The large number of samples analysed and the diversity of the tests conducted in this study further support the RBA as an affordable rapid method for STX detection that is also free of the routine sacrifice of live animals.     

Matrix effect on paralytic shellfish toxins quantification and toxicity estimation in mussels exposed to Gymnodinium catenatum

Paralytic shellfish toxins were quantified in whole tissues of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis exposed to blooms of the dinoflagellate Gymnodinium catenatum in Portuguese coastal waters. A validated liquid chromatography method with fluorescence detection, involving pre-chromatographic oxidation was used to quantify carbamoyl, N-sulfocarbamoyl and decarbamoyl toxins. In order to test for any matrix effect in the quantification of those toxins, concentrations obtained from solvent and matrix matched calibration curves were compared. A suppression of the fluorescence signal was observed in mussel extract or fraction in comparison to solvent for the compounds dcGTX2?+?3, GTX2?+?3 and GTX1?+?4, while an enhancement was found for C1?+?2, dcSTX, STX, B1, dcNEO and NEO. These results showed that a matrix effect varies among compounds. The difference of concentrations between solvent and matrix matched calibration curves for C1?+?2 (median?=?421?ng?g^?1) exceeded largely the values for the other quantified compounds (0.09–58?ng?g^?1). Those differences were converted into toxicity differences, using Oshima toxicity equivalence factors. The compounds C1?+?2 and dcNEO were the major contributors to the differences of total toxicity in the mussel samples. The differences of total toxicity were calculated in ten mussel samples collected during a 10-week blooming period in Portuguese coastal lagoon. Values varied between 53 and 218?µg STX equivalents kg^?1. The positive differences mean that the estimated toxicity using solvent calibration curves exceed the values taking into account the matrix. For the toxicity interval 200–800?µg STX equivalents kg^?1 an increase was found between 44 and 28%.     

Application of HPLC for the Determination of PSP Toxins in Shellfish

A high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) procedure for determination of the toxins associated with paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) is compared to the standard AOAC mouse bioassay method on 100 shellfish samples representing a variety of species. For those samples with toxin content below the detection limit of the bioassay (35 μg saxitoxin (STX)/100g) HPLC analysis indicated a similar low level with a range of <10 to 56 μg STX/100g (n = 60). A correlation coefficient of 0.92 was determined for the 40 samples exhibiting toxicity in the bioassay (i.e., >35 μg STX/100g). Among the advantages of the HPLC method over the bioassay are significantly better sensitivity, greater sample through-put, and ability to determine the levels of each individual PSP toxin.     

Canning process that diminishes paralytic shellfish poison in naturally contaminated mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis).

Changes in toxin profile and total toxicity levels of paralytic shellfish poison (PSP)-containing mussels were monitored during the standard canning process of pickled mussels and mussels in brine using mouse bioassays and high-performance liquid chromatography. Detoxification percentages for canned mussel meat exceeded 50% of initial toxicity. Total toxicity reduction did not fully correspond to toxin destruction, which was due to the loss of PSP to cooking water and packing media of the canned product. Significant differences in detoxification percentages were due to changes in toxin profile during heat treatment in packing media. Toxin conversion phenomena should be determined to validate detoxification procedures in the canning industry.     

Effect of PSP toxins in white leg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei Boone, 1931

ABSTRACT:  Cultured shrimp are often exposed to different toxic products during rearing practices that may affect survival and quality of the product. An evaluation of the effects of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSP) from species of Gymnodinium catenatum in white leg shrimp ( Litopenaeus vannamei ) has been carried out in this study. Death was observed at doses > 5.0 MU (equivalent to 1.1 μg/g of STX), while lower doses provoked paralysis of pereiopods, disequilibrium, and abdominal spasms in the animals. Target organs such as the heart and brain were severely damaged, with cohesion loss and cell density reduction evidenced by histological analysis. Hence, pond productivity and quality of the harvested organisms may be affected by PSP toxins. This is the 1st report on the effect of PSP toxins from G. catenatum in white eg shrimp.     

Key parameters for the consumption suitability of offshore cultivated blue mussels (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mytilus edulis</Emphasis> L.) in the German Bight

The occurrence and composition of toxic algae, and presence of viruses and other human microbial pathogens in production areas of mussels are factors determining suitability of mussel products for human consumption. As bivalves feed by filtering large volumes of water, potentially toxic viruses, algae, and bacteria as well as phytoplankton are ingested. With the expansion of mussel aquaculture and subsequent increase in human consumption of mussel products, improved risk management is required for consumer protection. For example, shifting production to offshore areas (e.g. wind farms) can decrease the hazards of infection due to dilution of contaminants, and increase overall health of mussels. In addition, the deployment of off-bottom cultivation methods such as longlines increases the condition index, growth, and aesthetic appearance of mussels. However, other hazards like algal toxins not yet monitored on a regular basis, may play a more important rule offshore. Here, we present an analysis of biological, economic, and consumer health-related aspects of mussel cultivation under near- and offshore conditions.     

Thermal degradation of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins in scallop digestive glands

Digestive glands containing paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins were isolated from toxic scallops. Citrate/phosphate buffers with the pH values ranging from 3 to 7 were added to achieve predetermined pH levels. The samples were heated at 90, 100, 110, 120 and 130°C using a computer controlled oil bath, and three tubes at each pH level were transferred into an ice bath immediately after predetermined heating times for up to 120 min. Both heated and unheated homogenates were analyzed for toxins qualitatively and quantitatively by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Gonyautoxin (GTX) 2 and 3, saxitoxin (STX), neosaxitoxin (NEO) and C toxins were identified by HPLC. All toxins were most sensitive to higher temperatures and higher pH values. However, under gentle heating conditions and low pH, GTX 2 and 3 increased slightly. One explanation for this could be the increased extraction efficiency by heating. However, the conversion of sulfocarbamate toxins to highly toxic carbamate toxins upon heating in the presence of acid known as “Proctor” enhancement, could be another possible explanation for the apparent conversion of C1 and C2 toxins to GTX 2/3. The increase in STX may possibly be due to the conversion of GTX 2/3 and NEO into STX. The kinetics of thermal destruction were qualitatively similar to the thermal destruction of microorganisms. That is, the log survival of heated toxins was inversely proportional to time of heating and log decimal reduction time inversely related to temperature of heating. Efficacy of thermal destruction was highly dependent on pH, with more rapid thermal destruction at higher pH levels. The levels of individual toxins in the homogenate and those generated during heating could be reduced significantly by heating at 130°C at pH 6–7.     

石房蛤毒素免疫亲和柱制备及柱效测试研究

目的阐明石房蛤毒素(saxitoxin, STX)免疫亲和柱对11种麻痹性贝类毒素的亲和作用。方法通过纯化的STX单克隆抗体与琼脂糖凝胶(sepharose 4B)制备STX免疫亲和柱,采用11种麻痹性贝类毒素(paralytic shellfish poisoning,PSP)标液进行过柱实验,优化上柱条件,采用液相色谱-质谱串联法进行毒素检测。结果STX免疫亲和柱对新石房蛤毒素(neosaxitoxin,neo-STX)、脱氨甲酰基新石房蛤毒素(decarbamoylneosaxitoxin dihydrochloride,dcneo-STX)、膝沟藻毒素1(gonyautoxin-1,GTX1)、膝沟藻毒素4(gonyautoxin-4, GTX4)基本没有亲和力作用;而对7种PSP的亲和力强弱顺序为:STXN-磺酰氨甲酰基类毒素5(gonyautoxin-5, GTX5)脱氨甲酰基石房蛤毒素(decarbamoylsaxitoxin dihydrochloride, dcSTX)膝沟藻毒素3(gonyautoxin-3,GTX3)脱氨甲酰基膝沟藻毒素3(decarbamoylgonyautoxin-3,dcGTX3)脱氨甲酰基膝沟藻毒素2(decarbamoylgonyautoxin-2, dcGTX2)膝沟藻毒素2(gonyautoxin-2, GTX2),其中对STX、GTX5、dcSTX、GTX3的回收率为61.2%～99.0%。结论该STX免疫亲和柱对STX、GTX5、dcSTX、GTX3有较好的吸附效果,能够满足样品检测前处理的要求,为水产品中麻痹性贝类毒素的提取方法研究提供了新技术的参考依据。     

Thermal Degradation of Partially Purified Paralytic Shellfish Poison Toxins at Different Times, Temperatures, and pH

ABSTRACT: Mixtures of purified and partially purified paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins including C1/2 and B1 toxins, gonyautoxins 1-4 (GTX), neosaxitoxin (NEO), and saxitoxin (STX) were heated at different temperatures (90 to 130 °C), heating times (10 to 120 min), and pH (3 to 7) and analyzed by HPLC. C toxins declined rapidly at low pH, and GTX 1/4 toxins decreased at high temperatures and at high pH. GTX 2/3 increased initially at low pH and then declined with subsequent heating, whereas STX increased consistently at pH 3 to 4. The integrated total specific toxicity declined at high pH (6 to 7). The kinetics of thermal destruction were 1^st order, and the efficacy of thermal destruction was highly dependent on pH, with rapid thermal destruction of carbamate compounds at higher pH. D values of carbamate toxins decreased with increasing temperature at high pH. Heating at low pH resulted in conversion of least toxic compounds to highly toxic compounds.     

Lipophilic toxin profiles detected in farmed and benthic mussels populations from the most relevant production zones in Southern Chile

Lipophilic toxins associated with diarrhoeic toxins were found in Mytilus chilensis (Blue mussels) and Aulacomya ater (Ribbed mussels). These shellfish samples were collected from Chiloe Island, Southern Chile. The samples were tested by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). After the analysis, four toxins were found: DTX-1, DTX-3, YTX and PTX. All toxins were identified by comparing their HPLC retention times with those of analytical standards and confirmed by LC-MS/MS. Dinophysistoxin-1 (DTX-1) and dinophysistoxin-3 (DTX-3) toxins were the major components within the mussel extracts. Nevertheless, the percentages of these toxins differed depending on the area they were collected from and/or the sampling date. The levels detected in Butacheuques Island for okadaic acid (OA) was 267 ± 3.5 μg OA eq kg(-1) (p < 0.05) and for DTX-3 was 183.4 ± 7.5 μg kg(-1) in ribbed mussels. Pectenotoxin (PTX) and yessotoxin (YTX) were the toxins detected in minor proportions in the toxic profile of the bivalves. The maximum concentration of YTX detected in ribbed mussels was 85.2 ± 2.8 μg kg(-1) in Mechuque Island, whereas the PTX-2 level in ribbed mussels was 82.0 ± 2.4 μg kg(-1) in Cailin Island. Analogues of YTX and PTX-2 were not detected in any of the analysed mussels, which did not support the supposed presence of isomers of toxins as a result of the enzymatic metabolism of bivalves. This study found evidence proving co-occurrence of lipophilic toxins - like PTX and YTX - with diarrhoeic toxin in samples collected in Southern Chile, which is, to date, the more complex mix of lipophilic toxins ever found in mussels samples from Southern Chile.     

Prevalence of enterovirus and hepatitis A virus in bivalve molluscs from Galicia (NW Spain): inadequacy of the EU standards of microbiological quality

A study of the presence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) and enterovirus (EV) in shellfish from the northwestern coast of Spain, one of the most important mussel producers in the world, was carried out employing dot-blot hybridization and RT-PCR techniques. In addition, bacterial contamination of the samples was evaluated by Escherichia coli (EC) counts, according to the European Union (EU) standards of shellfish microbiological quality. Shellfish samples included raft-cultured and wild mussels, as well as wild clams and cockles. Bacterial counts showed that the majority of samples (40.8%) could be classified as moderately polluted following the EU standards, and therefore should undergo depuration processes. However, differences in bacterial contamination were observed between cultured mussel and wild shellfish. Thus, percentage of clean samples (<230 EC/100 g shellfish) was clearly higher in cultured mussels (49.1%) than in wild mussels (22.8%) or clams and cockles (10.7%). HAV was detected in 27.4% and EV in 43.9% of the samples that were analyzed. Simultaneous detection of both viral types occurred in 14.1% of the samples. Statistical tests of dependence (chi-square test) showed no relationship either between viral and bacterial contamination, or between the presence of HAV and EV. Comparative analysis of hybridization and RT-PCR for viral detection yielded different results depending on the virus type that was studied, RT-PCR being effective for HAV but not for EV detection. The obtained results reinforce once again the inadequacy of bacteriological standards to assess viral contamination and suggest that although virological analysis of shellfish is possible by molecular techniques, interlaboratory standardization and validation studies are needed before the routine use in monitoring shellfish microbiological safety.