Uptake, transformation, and elimination kinetics of paralytic shellfish toxins in white seabream (Diplodus sargus)

Abstract

Marine toxins generated by harmful algal blooms can be transferred through the marine food web and ultimately cause massive deaths of piscivorous predators. However, very few studies have explored the processes of accumulation and biotransformation of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) within fishes. White seabream (Diplodus sargus) were orally challenged with contaminated cockles (Cerastoderma edule) containing N-sulfocarbamoyl and decarbamoyl toxins and non-contaminated cockles afterwards. Specific PSTs that occurred in low abundance in cockles (B1 7.6% and dcSTX 1.6% molar fraction) were the only toxins detected in fish viscera possibly resulting from selective elimination and transformation of the various PSTs. Concentration of toxins progressively increased in fish viscera throughout the uptake period. Toxins were then rapidly depurated (B1 0.905 day−1, dcSTX 0.467 day−1) when diet was changed to non-toxic cockles. Results indicate conversion of a precursor toxin into B1 which in turn might be converted into dcSTX at a lower extent. Low accumulation efficiency of 1.7 and 5.0% was calculated to B1 and dcSTX, respectively. This study contributes to a better understanding of dynamics of PSTs in fish and the fate of these compounds in the marine food web.