Detection of Tetrodotoxin Shellfish Poisoning (TSP) Toxins and Causative Factors in Bivalve Molluscs from the UK
Andrew D. Turner,
Monika Dhanji-Rapkova,
Lewis Coates,
Lesley Bickerstaff,
Steve Milligan,
Alison O’Neill,
Dermot Faulkner,
Hugh McEneny,
Craig Baker-Austin,
David N. Lees,
Myriam Algoet
Affiliations
Andrew D. Turner
Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Food Safety Group, Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK
Monika Dhanji-Rapkova
Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Food Safety Group, Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK
Lewis Coates
Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Food Safety Group, Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK
Lesley Bickerstaff
Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Food Safety Group, Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK
Steve Milligan
Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Food Safety Group, Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK
Alison O’Neill
Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Food Safety Group, Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK
Dermot Faulkner
Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), Marine Biotoxin Unit, Chemical Surveillance Branch, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute–Stormont, Belfast BT4 3SD, UK
Hugh McEneny
Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), Marine Biotoxin Unit, Chemical Surveillance Branch, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute–Stormont, Belfast BT4 3SD, UK
Craig Baker-Austin
Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Food Safety Group, Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK
David N. Lees
Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Food Safety Group, Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK
Myriam Algoet
Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Food Safety Group, Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK
Tetrodotoxins (TTXs) are traditionally associated with the occurrence of tropical Pufferfish Poisoning. In recent years, however, TTXs have been identified in European bivalve mollusc shellfish, resulting in the need to assess prevalence and risk to shellfish consumers. Following the previous identification of TTXs in shellfish from southern England, this study was designed to assess the wider prevalence of TTXs in shellfish from around the coast of the UK. Samples were collected between 2014 and 2016 and subjected to analysis using HILIC-MS/MS. Results showed the continued presence of toxins in shellfish harvested along the coast of southern England, with the maximum concentration of total TTXs reaching 253 µg/kg. TTX accumulation was detected in Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas), native oysters (Ostrea edulis) common mussels (Mytilus edulis) and hard clams (Mercenaria mercenaria), but not found in cockles (Cerastoderma edule), razors (Ensis species) or scallops (Pecten maximus). Whilst the highest concentrations were quantified in samples harvested during the warmer summer months, TTXs were still evident during the winter. An assessment of the potential causative factors did not reveal any links with the phytoplankton species Prorocentrum cordatum, instead highlighting a greater level of risk in areas of shallow, estuarine waters with temperatures above 15 °C.
