Dennis P H Hsieh, Tian-Jiu Jiang1, and Dazhi Wang, Department of Biology, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Clearwater Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China; 1Institute of Hydrobiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
Abstract
Our studies on the toxin profiles of Alexandrium species isolated from the South China Sea region have revealed that most of the species produce C2 toxin as a predominant member of the paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) under optimized laboratory conditions. The environmental significance of C2 toxin was assessed by monitoring its natural occurrence in some bivalve samples collected in this region. The toxins were extracted by the AOAC procedure and analyzed by HPLC and the mouse assay. Over 90% of the bivalve samples analyzed contained significant concentrations of C2 toxin and its derivatives including C1 toxin and gonyautoxin (GTX) 2 and 3. The highest concentration was found with C1 toxin. Our results confirm those of other investigators and indicate that C2 toxin is a major PST in this region and its monitoring in environmental and seafood samples is an important step in the mitigation of health risk presented by PSTs. (Supported by HK ECWW98/99.SC03 & RGC CAG 8730011)