Abstract
As filter feeders, bivalves and ascidians can accumulate contaminants present in the environment and pass them on to higher food chain levels as vectors. The consumption of bivalves contaminated with the potent neurotoxin domoic acid (DA) can cause amnesic shellfish poisoning in humans. The aim of this study was to determine seasonal differences in occurrence and accumulation of this phycotoxin in European oysters (Ostrea edulis Linnaeus, 1758) (n = 46), Queen scallops (Aequipecten opercularis Linnaeus, 1758) (n = 53), and edible ascidians of the Microcosmus spp. (n = 107), originating from the same harvesting area in the Northern Adriatic Sea. The quantification was performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) preceded by derivatization with dansyl chloride. DA was found in very low concentrations throughout the year, with a maximum value of 810 μg/kg in Queen scallops. This study reveals differences in the occurrence and accumulation of DA between Queen scallops and the other two investigated species (oysters and ascidians) and the highest concentrations during the colder part of the year. Even though DA was detected in all of them, Queen scallops showed higher DA accumulation compared to the other two (p < 0.001), hence representing a sentinel species suitable for the monitoring of DA level in seafood.
Highlights
Due to its high nutritional value and the absence of additives, the consumption of seafood is essential in preventing non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, as well in combating undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies
Even though the presence of hydrophilic paralytic shellfish toxins and amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP) phycotoxins in ascidians has been recorded, even in high concentrations that could pose a threat to human health [50,51,52], data provided by this study reveal that ascidians accumulate domoic acid (DA) in significantly lower concentrations than oysters and scallops
Domoic acid was detected in trace levels in three investigated species—European oysters (O. edulis), Queen scallops (A. opercularis), and ascidians of the Microcosmus spp., collected on the eastern coast of the Northern Adriatic Sea throughout the year
Summary
Due to its high nutritional value and the absence of additives, the consumption of seafood is essential in preventing non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, as well in combating undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. Owing to their low amount of fat and a favourable fatty acid profile, as well as to their high share of digestible proteins containing essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, bivalves play an important role in a healthy and balanced diet [1,2,3,4]. Eight DA isomers (DA A-H) and one diastereomer (C5‘, or isoDA) have been identified so far, all of them found to be less potent than DA itself [11]
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