Abstract
In 2015, tetrodotoxins (TTXs) were considered a potential threat in Europe since several studies had shown the presence of these toxins in European bivalve molluscs. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of TTXs in 127 bivalve samples (mussels and oysters) and in 66 gastropod samples (whelks) collected all along the French mainland coasts in 2017 and 2018. Analyses were carried out after optimization and in-house validation of a performing hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography associated with tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC-MS/MS) method. The concentration set by European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) not expected to result in adverse effects (44 µg TTX equivalent/kg) was never exceeded, but TTX was detected in three mussel samples and one whelk sample (1.7–11.2 µg/kg). The tissue distribution of TTX in this whelk sample showed higher concentrations in the digestive gland, stomach and gonads (7.4 µg TTX/kg) than in the rest of the whelk tissues (below the limit of detection of 1.7 µg TTX/kg). This is the first study to report the detection of TTX in French molluscs.
Highlights
Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a naturally occurring neurotoxin known to cause food poisoning in humans [1]
Key Contribution: As recommended by European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), this study provides new information on TTXs occurrence in bivalves and gastropods in European waters
Several adjustments were made to the procedure developed by Boundy et al [19], and optimized by Turner et al and the European Reference Laboratory (EURL) for marine biotoxins [20,21]
Summary
Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a naturally occurring neurotoxin known to cause food poisoning in humans [1]. This toxin is a hydrophilic molecule (LogP = −6.2) whose molecular formula is C11 H17 N3 O8. At least 30 structural analogues of TTX have been identified and belong to the TTX group (TTXs). Their degree of toxicity varies with their structure [2]. TTX intoxications have occurred mainly in Asia, and in Japan, after the consumption of certain species of fish belonging to the genus Tetraodon (e.g., globefish or fugu). The fatality rate is significantly higher following the Toxins 2020, 12, 599; doi:10.3390/toxins12090599 www.mdpi.com/journal/toxins
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