Abstract
Tetrodotoxin is a neurotoxin responsible for many human fatalities, most commonly following the consumption of pufferfish. Whilst the source of the toxin has not been conclusively proven, it is thought to be associated with various species of marine bacteria. Whilst the toxins are well studied in fish and gastropods, in recent years, there have been a number of reports of tetrodotoxin occurring in bivalve shellfish, including those harvested from the UK and other parts of Europe. This paper reviews evidence concerning the prevalence of tetrodotoxins in the UK together with methodologies currently available for testing. Biological, biomolecular and chemical methods are reviewed, including recommendations for further work. With the recent development of quantitative chromatographic methods for these and other hydrophilic toxins, as well as the commercial availability of rapid testing kits, there are a number of options available to ensure consumers are protected against this threat.
Highlights
Of the most common marine intoxications, tetrodotoxin poisoning has the highest fatality rate [1]
The toxins are recognised by many authors as being exogenous, primarily produced by a range of bacteria [2,4,5,6] which subsequently accumulate through the food chain and enter the fish as well as molluscs, gastropods, crustaceans, amphibians and octopus [2]
The sale of fugu is prohibited in the EU under EU Regulations (EC) 853/2004 and 854/2004, and in other countries such as the US importation is prohibited [114]
Summary
Of the most common marine intoxications, tetrodotoxin poisoning has the highest fatality rate [1]. AA nnuummbbeerr ooff aannaalloogguueess hhaavvee bbeeeenn iiddeennttiiffiieedd aanndd cchhaarraacctteerriisseedd iinn ffiisshh,, ggaassttrrooppoodd,, ccrraabb aanndd aammpphhiibbiiaann ssppeecciieess,, iinncclluuddiinngg ffoouurr ddeeooxxyy TTTTXXss ((FFiigguurree 11)),, wwiitthh mmiixxttuurreess ttyyppiiccaallllyy,,bbuuttnnoottaallwwaayyss,,ooccccuurrrriinnggiinnttiissssuueeeexxttrraaccttssaannddaacciiddiiccssoolluuttiioonn[[1155]]. There has been evidence of TTX being present in fish living within European waters, with the occurrence of a migrant pufferfish Lagocephalus sceleratus in the waters around Greece [34,35] This migration is known to occur from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal and poses a great threat to the region [36]. The case described related to the severe poisoning of a single person following consumption of a Charonia sauliae purchased from a fish market in Malaga [41] This highlights the potential risks from gastropod consumption, given that these species are not routinely monitored for TTXs or any other marine toxins. The toxins appear to be of increasing interest to European monitoring agencies [44], following suggestions of diversification and habitat expansion [12,45]
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