Detection of  species and associated okadaic acid in farmed shellfish: a two-year study from the western Mediterranean area

Diarrhoetic shellfish poisoning (DSP), an alimentary intoxication known to lead to intestinal symptoms, and caused by toxins produced by some dinoflagellates (including several Dinophysis), represents a serious threat to public health. The aim of this paper was to provide information about the occurrence and abundance of potentially toxic harmful algal species causing DSP, and the associated concentration of okadaic acid (OA) toxins. The departing assumption was that in the study area there was an increase in the presence both of Dinophysis species and OA and its derivates that could result in a risk to the health of seafood consumers.

Material and Methods

During 2015–2016, water and shellfish samples were collected in the Mediterranean area (Sardinia, Italy). Dinophysis cells were counted according to Utermöhl’s method from water samples, while mass spectrometry was used to identify lipophilic toxins in molluscs.

Results

A total of 46 non-compliant samples of Mytilus galloprovincialis were observed. Their non-compliance concerned their OA levels above the legal limit. Among toxic dinoflagellates, D. acuminata and D. sacculus were the species found mostly during DSP events.

Conclusion

No cases of human intoxication have been reported, but continuous surveillance of toxic phytoplankton is necessary to predict and prevent its harmful effects on human health.

eISSN:: 2450-8608
Lingua:: Inglese

Frequenza di pubblicazione:: 4 volte all'anno
Argomenti della rivista:: Life Sciences, Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Virology, other, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine

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Detection of Dinophysis species and associated okadaic acid in farmed shellfish: a two-year study from the western Mediterranean area

Pubblicato online: 07 lug 2018

Pagine: 137 - 144

Ricevuto: 16 feb 2018

Accettato: 14 giu 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jvetres-2018-0022

Parole chiaveshellfish, lipophilic biotoxins, Sardinia

© 2018 Anna Maria Bazzoni et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Introduction

Material and Methods

Results

Conclusion

Parole chiave
shellfish, lipophilic biotoxins, Sardinia