Anatomical distribution of the toxins in PSP-infested scallops from Funka Bay, Hokkaido.

Abstract

Paralytic shellfish poison (PSP)-infested specimens of the scallop Patinopecten yessoensis collected from Funka Bay, Hokkaido, in June 1984, were dissected into the digestive gland, gonads, mantle, gills and adductor muscle, and examined on the anatomical distribution of toxicity and toxin composition. Toxicity was assayed by A.O.A.C. method for PSP by using 18-20 g male mice (ddY). The toxins were analyzed by cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis. The highest toxicity was detected in the digestive gland (40 MU/g), followed by mantle (3 MU/g) and gills (2 MU/g). In gonads and adductor muscle, toxicity was less than 2 MU/g. As to toxin compositions, a remarkable difference was observed between the adductor muscle and other organs. In the digestive gland, gonads, mantle and gills, gonyautoxin (GTX) group comprised 75-94% of toxicity as major components, and saxitoxin (STX) group was minor. In the adductor muscle content of GTX group was low in comparison with that in other organs, comprising 49% of toxicity.