Interaction Between Paralytic Shellfish Poison and Melanin Obtained from Butter Clam (Saxidomus giganteus) and Synthetic Melanin

Abstract

The interaction between paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) and melanin from butter clam (Saxidomus giganteus) and synthetic melanin followed a pattern similar to that reported between PSP and a cation exchanger. The close relation between the anatomical distribution of melanin in butter clams and the distribution of PSP in toxic butter clams suggests that melanin may play an important role in the retention of PSP by these clams.