A Comparison of Assay Techniques for the Analysis of Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning Toxins in Shellfish

摘要

Contamination of shellfish with Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) toxins principally derived from Dinophysis spp. is the biggest problem for shellfish producers with respect to algal biotoxins along the west of the European Atlantic seaboard (Raineet al. 2010). The onset of these harmful algal events can occur in a matter of days due to rapid transport of toxic cells into an enclosed area by oceanographic processes. Rapid analysis of biotoxins in shellfish is therefore paramount. The standard method within Europe for the analysis of DSP toxins has been the mouse bioassay (MBA) (Yasumoto et al. 1978), which is often used in tandem with chemical methods such as liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) (EC reg. 2074/2005). These methodshave numerous limitations including their expense and use in a restricted number of laboratories which can cause long lag times, often exceeding that of the onset of a harmful algal event. These issues are particularly prevalent in geographically remoteand peripheral regions, and have prompted the requirement of new analytical technologies for the analysis of algal biotoxins in shellfish to be performed rapidly, inexpensively, and locally which has particular relevance for local end product testing. This study investigates the use of two rapid techniques; an immunoassay and a functional assay, taking advantage of a national monitoring programme where results can be compared with MBA and LC-MS analysis in order to assess the accuracy, reliability andease of use and applicability of these methods.