Abstract
Domoic acid is a potent neurotoxin, glutamate agonist and natural marine biotoxin. It is produced by several diatom algal species of genetically diverse genus Pseudo-nitzschia, red alga Chondria armata and other related species. Historically, widespread domoic acid intoxication incidents have occurred globally. Particularly, in 1987, domoic acid caused an outbreak of human poisoning in Canada by the consumption of contaminated blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) that gave rise to countless clinical illnesses and human deaths. The toxin targets glutamate receptors present in various vital organs and a cascade of ailments characterized the poisoning. The specifically listed neural disorders include memory impairment, coma, recurrent seizures, and epilepsy that led to the name amnesic shellfish poisoning. The occurrence of domoic acid in test samples has been determined by various novel techniques such as liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, biosensors, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and other related hi-tech detection methods. Since the Canada incident, the toxin has intoxicated several marine mammals, sea birds, and contaminated colonized coastal waters around the globe. Subsequently, domoic acid producing algal blooms are accelerating frequently worldwide. Therefore, it poses a global health, safety threat and exposure risks to a significant number of marine and human lives. Genetics of domoic acid producing algal species, molecular markers and therapeutics are currently least known. Therefore, the present review addresses intriguing attributes of domoic acid, such as physicochemical, pharmacological and biological features, sources, and genetic diversity of the producers. In addition, exposure risks including toxicologic pathology of domoic acid poisoning, neurotoxic pathways, detection methods and therapeutics have been inclusively discussed.
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