Identification of Toxin and Species of Causative Fish Roe Implicated into a Food Poisoning Incident

Abstract

The food poisoning incident due to ingesting fish roe occurred in Taiwan in March 2008. A total of 3 victims were reported. Symptoms featured paralysis, coma, nausea, vomiting and ataxia. Using the cytochrome b gene sequence and PCR-RFLP method identified the fish species of the roe. The results indicated that species of causative fish roe was Lagocephalus lunaris. Toxicity of causative fish roe was 425 ± 80 mouse units (MU) by a tetrodotoxin (TTX) bioassay. The toxin was partially purified from the acidic methanol extract of the roe by using a C18 solid phase extraction column. The eluate was then filtered through a 3,000 dalton cut-off ultrafree microcentrifuge filter. Analyses of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) identified the purified toxin mainly containing TTX. It is concluded that the causative agent of the above food poisoning was TTX and the roe species was a toxic puffer L. lunaris. This food poisoning is a case of puffer intoxication.