Consumption Of Mussels Research Articles

Use of sedimentary metals to predict metal concentrations in black mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) tissue and risk to human health (Sydney estuary, Australia)

Filter-feeding bivalves have been used extensively as an indicator of ecosystem condition and in management of estuarine environments. The current study aimed to determine whether sedimentary metals could predict metal concentrations in tissue of filter-feeding mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and to identify areas of the estuary where mussel consumption posed a human health risk. Mussel tissue Cu and Zn concentrations (wet weight) were below guideline values for human consumption in all parts of the waterway, whereas Pb tissue concentrations exceed these guidelines (2.0 μg g(-1) wet weight) in the upper reaches of some embayments of the estuary. Concentrations of Cu and Pb in the fine fraction (<62.5 μm) of bottom sediment reasonably predicted concentrations (dry weight) of these metals in mussel tissue (r (2) =0.460 and p=0.001 and r (2) =0.669 and p<0.0001, respectively) as these materials are resuspendable and available to filter-feeding estuarine animals, whereas total sediment and mussel tissue were poorly related. Lead concentrations (>350 μg g(-1)) in fine sediments indicated areas of this estuary where human health was at risk due to high tissue concentrations of this metal. These results give encouragement for the use of the metal concentration in fine sediments as an indicator of estuarine condition and risk to human health in this waterway. Mussels were distributed in all parts of the estuary, even in areas where metal concentrations exceeded sediment quality guidelines.

Impacts of a large-bodied, apex predator (Alligator mississippiensis Daudin 1801) on salt marsh food webs

Large-bodied apex predators (e.g., sharks, wolves, crocodilians) are believed to regulate food web structure and drive ecosystem processes, but there remains relatively little experimental evidence. Here we use field surveys and a mesocosm experiment to evaluate the cascading effects of an apex predator (American alligator) on a salt marsh food web. Consistent with previous studies (n=10), field surveys revealed blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus Rathbun 1896), an important marsh mesopredator, were a frequent component of estuarine-occurring alligators' diet (mean±SD, 47±20%, n=1384). In mesocosms, we examined potential consequences of this interaction in a simplified salt marsh community. We experimentally isolated alligator effects on the abundance (consumptive effect) and behavior (non-consumptive effect) of blue crabs and on blue crab consumption of plant-grazing snails and ribbed mussels. Alligators reduced blue crab abundance by ~40% over 3days and induced behavioral changes, resulting in decreased foraging activity and increased refuge use by blue crabs. The combined effects of reduced crab abundance and altered behavior translated into increased survival of both a keystone grazer (snails) and a mutualist (mussels) within the salt marsh food web. Our findings experimentally demonstrate that a large-bodied, apex predator has the potential to 1) generate a trophic cascade, 2) elicit behavioral changes (i.e., non-consumptive effects) in mesopredator prey, and 3) indirectly affect the potential for both grazing and mutualism to occur in this food chain. Our results generate testable hypotheses regarding the broad-scale effects of alligator presence and top-down forcing in salt marsh ecosystems.

Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii Infection among Healthy Blood Donors in Taiwan

Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic, zoonotic pathogen with a worldwide distribution. There are large variations in the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in different regions of the world. Although toxoplasmosis became a notifiable communicable disease in Taiwan in 2007, little is known about its epidemiology among the general population. This cross-sectional study aimed to survey the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection and its risk factors among healthy blood donors in Taiwan. Through collaborating with the Taiwan Blood Services Foundation, a total of 1,783 healthy blood donors from all six-branch blood service centers participated in this study. The blood samples were tested for the presence of T. gondii antibodies and DNA using enzyme immunoassays and real-time PCR, respectively. Structured questionnaires were used to gather information on risk factors for T. gondii infection. Of the 1,783 participants, 166 (9.3%) tested positive for anti-Toxoplasma IgG, while 5 (0.28%) tested positive for anti-Toxoplasma IgM. The five IgM positive donors had high avidity antibodies suggestive of past infection. No active parasitemia was detected by real-time PCR assays. Multivariate logistic regression showed that undercooked pork meat consumption (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 2.9; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3–6.5), raw mussels consumption (adjusted OR = 5.3; 95% CI: 1.5–19.1), having a cat in the household (adjusted OR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.2–3.2), a lower education level (adjusted OR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.1–2.3), and donation place in eastern Taiwan (adjusted OR = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.6–3.9) were independent risk factors for Toxoplasma seropositivity. These findings provide information on the seroprevalence and epidemiology of T. gondii infection among healthy blood donors in Taiwan.

First record of the genus Azadinium (Dinophyceae) from the Shetland Islands, including the description of Azadinium polongum sp. nov.

Azadinium is a dinophycean genus capable of producing azaspiracids (AZAs), a recently discovered group of lipophilic phycotoxins causing human intoxication via mussel consumption. Although initially described from the North Sea, the genus currently consisting of four described species is probably distributed worldwide. Here we report on Azadinium from the Shetland Islands, which are located in the northernmost part of the North Sea and are largely influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. Two strains of Azadinium were isolated from a single water sample. One strain was identified as Azadinium spinosum based on morphology and sequence data and had an AZA cell quota of about 20fg per cell, similar to all other described strains of the species. The toxin profile consisted of AZA-1 and AZA-2 in a 2.3:1 ratio and a yet undescribed AZA of 715Da. The other strain represents a new species and is here described as Azadinium polongum sp. nov. Like A. spinosum, but different to Azadinium obesum and Azadinium poporum, A. polongum has an antapical spine. A. polongum differs from A. spinosum by an elongated shape of the pore plate (Po), and X-plate, the location of the ventral pore, and the absence of a distinct pyrenoid with starch sheath. Molecular analysis based on SSU, LSU, and ITS sequencing supported separation of A. polongum at the species level. Detailed LC–MS analysis showed that A. polongum does not produce any known AZAs in measureable amounts.

Public health risks posed by the invasive Indo-Pacific green mussel, Perna viridis (Linnaeus, 1758) in Kingston Harbour, Jamaica

The control strategies for any marine invasive species that is edible may include their use as food for human consumption. The potential and realized use of the invasive Indo-Pacific green mussel, Perna viridis (Linnaeus, 1758) for food in Jamaica, from wild populations in Kingston Harbour, underscored the importance of investigating the potential public health risks to consumers from mussels fished from different areas of Kingston Harbour. Levels of bacterial coliforms and heavy metals were examined during this investigation due to the nature of pollutants already documented in Kingston Harbour. Bacterial coliforms showed high levels (15 – >16,000 MPN/100mL) at five stations during the investigation, with the highest values at the station located adjacent to the Hunts Bay Power station (HBPS). Heavy metals, especially chromium and cadmium were also high (43.3–70.3 mg/kg (chromium) and 17–60 mg/kg (cadmium)), with highest value at the station GC (Goodbody’s Channel) for chromium and Station DT (Kingston Waterfront) for cadmium. The risks to public health through consumption of these green mussels, Perna viridis from Kingston Harbour are significant. If consumption of wild populations from Kingston Harbour is to be promoted to reduce the population number of this invasive species, then depuration of the mussels prior to consumption should be carried out.

PAHs in cultured mussels Perna perna from a Southeastern Brazilian Bay

The presence and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were evaluated for the first time in cultured mussels at Ilha Grade Bay, the largest mariculture center in the Rio de Janeiro State, Southeast Brazil. Analyses of PAHs on soft tissue were performed in triplicate by GC-MS on composite samples (10 individuals each) collected in 2011 at six mussel farms. The mean concentration of the total PAHs (38 compounds), excluding one farm, was 14.0 ± 8.53 ng g-1, whereas the 16 priority PAHs was 9.51 ± 4.78 ng g-1. These values characterize the farmed mussels analyzed as having low level of PAH contamination. The exception was the farm in Mombaca, where the total PAHs of 584 ng g-1 (16 PAHs of 22.4 ng g-1) and the profile of individual PAHs suggest moderate contamination by petrogenic sources. All the concentrations measured were below threshold values established by environmental and health agencies as limiting to pose risk to humans by mussel consumption.

Determination of selected antibiotics in the Istanbul strait sediments by solid-phase extraction and high performance liquid chromatography

Surface sediments from 12 different locations of the Istanbul Strait and Marmara Sea, Turkey were analysed for five antibiotics belonging to two different groups of widely used pharmaceuticals, tetracyclines (TCs) and fluoroquinolones (FQs), by solid-phase extraction and high performance liquid chromatography. These two groups of antibiotics, mainly used to prevent or treat illness for humans as well as for animals, are frequently detected in the effluent of municipal sewage plants, in the aquatic environments and in soils after being spread by liquid manure. The results of analysis revealed that measured concentrations of individual antibiotics were significantly different depending on sampling location. Chlortetracycline (CTC) was not detected in any of the samples. High concentrations were mainly found in urbanized regions of the Strait. The concentrations of the two tetracyclines ranged from not detectable to 27.3 μg kg−1 in freeze-dried marine sediments. Comparable results were obtained for the two fluoroquinolones with concentration levels from 1.3 μg kg−1 up 34.1 μg kg−1. This study is the first attempt to show the contamination degree of the Istanbul Strait sediments by emerging contaminants. Particular concern should be given concerning their potential side effects caused by the frequent consumption of mussels and fishes captured in the Istanbul Strait.

Toxins in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) associated with diarrhetic shellfish poisoning episodes in China

More than 200 people in China suffered illness with symptoms of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) following consumption of mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis). The event occurred in the cities of Ningbo and Ningde near the East China Sea in May, 2011. LC–MS/MS analysis showed that high concentrations of okadaic acid, dinophysistoxin-1, and their acyl esters were responsible for the incidents. The total concentration was more than 40 times the EU regulatory limit of 160 μg OA eq./kg. Pectentoxin-2 and its seco-acids were also present in the mussels. Additionally, yessotoxins were found to be responsible for positive mouse bioassay results on scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) and oyster (Crassostrea talienwhanensis) samples collected from the North Yellow Sea in June, 2010.This work shows that high levels of lipophilic toxins can accumulate in shellfish from the Chinese coast and it emphasises that adequate chemical analytical methodologies are needed for monitoring purposes. Further research is required to broaden the knowledge on the occurrence of lipophilic toxins in Chinese shellfish.

210Po and 210Pb activity concentrations in Mytilus galloprovincialis from Croatian Adriatic coast with the related dose assessment to the coastal population

Activity concentrations of 210Po and 210Pb in the species Mytilus galloprovincialis from Croatian Adriatic coast were determined. The samples were collected in thirteen sampling places which are also a part of Croatian Mediterranean mussel watch project. The results of 210Po and 210Pb activity concentrations were found to vary between (22.1±2.5)–(207±21)Bqkg−1 fresh weight and (2.8±1.4)–(9.3±0.7)Bqkg−1 fresh weight, respectively. 210Po/210Pb ratio ranged between 6.2 and 30.7. The highest measured activities were found in the enclosed basins of the Neretva channel, where the majority of Croatian mussel cultivation is taking place. The estimated consequent average total annual effective ingestion dose due to 210Po and 210Pb from mussel consumption in Croatian coastal region is 202±99μSv with 96% contribution of 210Po to the total effective dose.

Mussels with Meat: Bivalve Tissue-Shell Radiocarbon Age Differences and Archaeological Implications

Local reservoir ages are often estimated from the difference between the radiocarbon ages of aquatic material and associated terrestrial samples for which no reservoir effect is expected. Frequently, the selected aquatic material consists of bivalve shells that are typically well preserved in the archaeological record. For instance, large shell middens attest to the importance of mussel consumption at both coastal and inland sites. However, different physiological mechanisms associated with tissue and shell growth may result in differences in reservoir effects between the surviving component (shell) and the component relevant to dietary reservoir effects in consumers (tissue). The current study examines bivalve tissue-shell age differences both from freshwater and marine contexts close to archaeological sites where human consumption of mollusks has been attested. Results exhibited significant 14C age differences between bivalve tissue and shell in a freshwater context. In a marine context, no significant bivalve tissue-shell age differences were observed. The results also showed that riverine and lacustrine shells show large and variable freshwater reservoir effects. The results have important implications for establishing local reservoir effects especially in a freshwater environment. For good a priori knowledge of expected 14C differences in organic and inorganic water, carbon is thus necessary. Furthermore, the high variability in freshwater shell 14C ages implies the need for representative sampling from the archaeological record.

Health risks of heavy metals in the mediterranean mussels as seafood

In recent years, mussels have already become commercially important seafood species worldwide. Mussels accumulate a wide range of metals in their soft tissue. Thus, the determination of accumulated concentrations of heavy metals, such as Pb, Cd, Hg, and As, in mussels is essential because of their usage as seafood and the potential adverse effects of their consumption on human health. In this review, these issues are presented and discussed using the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis as an example. M. galloprovincialis is very efficient at converting low value victuals into high quality animal protein. The production of M.galloprovincialis in Mediterranean countries has been increasing rapidly, but Spain is still the largest producer of mussels. Only China has a larger production of these mussels than Spain. M. galloprovincialis is a filter feeding animal and accumulates a wide range of metals from their environment. The metal concentrations in the soft tissue of M.galloprovincialis are indicators of marine ecosystems contamination. In the same time, the bioaccumulation of heavy metals remains an issue concerning the consumption of mussels. Thereby, the Cd, Pb, Hg, and As concentration measurement in mussel soft tissue as a seafood have become significant. A review of literature data revealed large variations in the Cd, Pb, Hg, and As concentrations in M. galloprovincialis from their endemic areas, e.g., Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Black Sea, and the concentrations of these toxic metals were generally in the following order: As > Pb > Cd > Hg. The guidelines on heavy metals for seafood safety set by different countries and associations are reviewed. Comparison of the published data with European legislation showed that the levels of the heavy metals generally did not exceed the existing limits in all the mussels analyzed, excluding mussels from hot spots, such as lagoons and harbors, in the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Black Sea.

Inter- and intraspecific interactions among green crabs ( Carcinus maenas) and whelks ( Nucella lapillus) foraging on blue mussels ( Mytilus edulis)

Blue mussels ( Mytilus edulis) play an important role in many coastal marine communities, regulating biodiversity and serving as food for many predators. Interactions between predators mediate their impact on mussel prey, and thus have indirect effects on the mussel bed community. We studied the effects of predator density and species composition on mussel predation by green crabs ( Carcinus maenas) and dogwhelks ( Nucella lapillus). We conducted an experiment in which predators at high and low natural intertidal densities were enclosed with mussels, in either single- or multiple-predator species treatments. Biomass consumed by each species in each treatment was determined and effects of multiple predators on consumption rates were estimated. Mean size of mussels eaten by each predator species was also measured and compared between treatments. Feeding by whelks and crabs was inhibited by conspecifics, and whelk foraging was also depressed in the presence of crabs. The presence of whelks had a positive effect on crab foraging, which may have moderated the negative effects of intraspecific competition between crabs. Sizes of mussels consumed did not differ statistically between treatments. In mixed-species treatments, crabs appear to have kleptoparasitized mussels being eaten by whelks, possibly facilitating consumption of larger mussels by crabs. Results indicate that interactions between invertebrate predators of blue mussels cause shifts in the feeding patterns of these predators, and are therefore an important part of mussel bed community dynamics.

Food poisoning outbreaks linked to mussels contaminated with okadaic acid and ester dinophysistoxin-3 in France, June 2009

In June 2009, 11 outbreaks of food poisoning occurred in France, involving 45 individuals who had consumed mussels harvested in Vilaine Bay (Northwestern France). Because the toxic dinoflagellate Dinophysis spp. had been detected in the area from mid-May, okadaic acid (OA) and dinophysistoxins were suspected to be the cause of these outbreaks, although the weekly monitoring tests by mouse bioassay had been negative. With the help of the French reporting system for food-borne disease outbreaks, the detailed data on epidemiology, mussel consumption and complete product traceback, were collected for 11 individuals involved in three reported outbreaks. The batch of mussels identified as the source of these three outbreaks contained concentrations of toxins of the okadaic acid group that were approximately eight times higher than the European regulatory limit. Moreover, based on the consumption data available for the 11 cases, a lowest observable adverse effects level (LOAEL) was deduced. The LOAEL calculated from this study, although based on a very limited number of individuals, was in the same range, i.e. approximately 50 μg OA equivalents per person, as the LOAEL established by the European Food Safety Authority in 2006.

Toxic metal health risk by mussel consumption

Seafood is a major dietary food worldwide. However, seafood consumption by humans can induce health risk because seafood may be contaminated by various pollutants. The mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis is widely distributed in the coastal waters of Montenegro, SouthEast Adriatic Sea. Here, Zn, Fe, Cu, Ni, Cd, Pb, As, and Hg contents in M. galloprovincialis from ten sites were analyzed to investigate health risks associated with the consumption of wild and cultivated mussels. Since there is a lack of data on the mussel consumption rate in Montenegro, the amount of mussels that can be ingested weekly over a lifetime with no risk of negative health effects was calculated using provisional tolerable weekly intakes (PTWI). We found that Cd concentrations were the limiting factor for mussels as a food. The weekly consumptions of 0.64–1.2 kg of fresh wild and 0.84–1.2 kg of fresh cultivated mussel would be sufficient to reach the PTWICd, which may result in a risky weekly intake of Cd for long-term exposure. Moreover, weekly intake of 125 g mussels was used to calculate the dietary intake of trace elements by mussel consumption and compared with the prescribed PTWIs. Here, we found that there is no risk for human health for all investigated elements. In this case, the highest Cd level obtained in wild and in cultivated mussels represents 19.8 and 14.9% of the PTWICd, respectively. This is the first study in Montenegro giving an assessment of the health risk from trace elements via the consumption of wild and cultivated M. galloprovincialis.

Shellfish from Todos os Santos Bay, Bahia, Brazil: Treat or threat?

This study determined the concentrations of major and trace elements in shellfish (oysters, clams and mussels) and conducted an assessment of the health risks due to the consumption of contaminated seafood. Samples were collected at 34 sites along Todos os Santos Bay, Brazil. The elements were determined by ICP OES and Hg by Direct Mercury Analysis. Relatively high concentrations of trace elements (As, Zn, Se and Cu) were found in seafood tissues. Potential daily intake of As, Co, Se, Zn and Cu associated to shellfish consumption suggested relevant non-carcinogenic risk for all studied locations. Copper was the element that posed the greatest non-carcinogenic risk, while Pb posed the highest carcinogenic risk. Health risks for humans were greatest from the consumption of mussels. Contaminated shellfish offer the greatest risk for children, subsistence fishers and subsistence shellfish consumers.

Does consumer injury modify invasion impact?

Predicting the impacts of an invasive species solely by its abundance is common, yet it ignores other potentially important moderating factors. One such factor is injury. Severe injury can lead to mortality, which can directly reduce the abundance of the invader. However, more moderate, sublethal injury can also temper the impact of invasive species. Therefore, to predict impacts, it may be useful to examine not only abundance, but also moderating factors (e.g., injury) and predictors of these factors (e.g., density, size). We documented the density, injury (i.e., limb loss), and size of two conspicuous invaders, the European green crab (Carcinus maenas) and the Asian shore crab (Hemigrapsus sanguineus), at thirty sites from Shinnecock County Park, New York to Lubec, Maine. In addition, we used a field experiment to determine how injury influenced the consumption rate of mussels (Mytilus edulis) by each crab species. 31.6% of all C. maenas (1,493/4,721) and 30.7% of H. sanguineus (2,003/6,523) were missing append- age(s). Of the crabs injured, 38.4% (573/1,493) and 30.5% (611/2,003) were missing cheliped(s) for C. maenas and H. sanguineus, respectively. In our experiments, cheliped loss reduced consumption of both species on M. edulis .I njuredC. maenas consumed 21% fewer mussels than uninjured crabs. Injury completely eliminated mussel consumption by H. sanguineus. Previous studies have highlighted the detrimental impacts of these two invaders on native bivalve prey. While the loss of a single cheliped can greatly reduce or even eliminate the ability of C. maenas and H. sanguineus to consume M. edulis, our results suggest that injury has a relatively minor role in reducing overall population-level impacts on prey such as mussels. However, injury on an individual-level can play a role in moderating the consumptive impacts of these invaders.

Increase of 210Po levels in human semen fluid after mussel ingestion

Polonium-210 ( 210Po) radioactive concentrations were determined in human semen fluid of vasectomized non-smoker volunteers. The 210Po levels ranged from 0.10 to 0.39 mBq g −1 (mean: 0.23 ± 0.08 mBq g −1). This value decreased to 0.10 ± 0.02 mBq g −1 (range from 0.07 to 0.13 mBq g −1) after two weeks of a controlled diet, excluding fish and seafood. Then, volunteers ate during a single meal 200 g of the cooked mussel Perna perna L., and 210Po levels were determined again, during ten days, in semen fluid samples collected every morning. Volunteers continued with the controlled diet and maintained sexual abstinence through the period of the experiment. A 300% increase of 210Po level was observed the day following mussel consumption, with a later reduction, such that the level returned to near baseline by day 4.

Human dietary exposure to lead and cadmium via the consumption of mussels and seaweeds from San Jorge Gulf, Patagonia Argentina

Lead and cadmium were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry in Aulacomya atra, Mytilus edulis, Porphyra columbina and Ulva spp. in two sites of the San Jorge Gulf (Argentina). In Punta Maqueda, M. edulis cadmium concentrations were higher than those measured at the mouth of La Mata stream throughout the year. In A. atra, no statistically significant difference was recorded between the two sampling points. Lead levels do not exceed the limits set by the National Agrifood Health and Quality National Service. Cadmium levels in Punta Maqueda exceed the limit set by the EU and values close to the PTWI have been observed. Lead concentrations in P. columbina and Ulva spp. do not seem to represent a problem for the public health. Nevertheless, all the seaweed samples exceed the values set for cadmium in France, Australia and New Zealand. An intake of 30 g of seaweed would not exceed cadmium PTWI.

Levels of 210Po and 210Pb in fish and molluscs in Slovenia and the related dose assessment to the population

210Po and 210Pb activity concentrations in fish from the Slovenian part of Adriatic Sea, in the vicinity of a former uranium mine at Žirovski vrh and from the Slovenian market were determined. In addition, 210Po and 210Pb activity concentrations in squid from the Slovenian market and in mussels from the Slovenian part of the Adriatic Sea were also determined. Fish, squid and mussel consumption in Slovenia was assessed from the data available from Eurostat and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the data used for the corresponding dose calculation. Fish species with the highest activity concentrations were grilled to assess possible loss of 210Po during the food preparation process. Samples were freeze dried and radiochemical separation of 210Po and 210Pb was performed. Measurements of 210Po were performed by alpha spectrometry and 210Pb by a low background gas-flow proportional counter. 210Po activity concentrations in fish, squid and mussels were from 0.039 to 35.0 Bq kg −1 fresh weight and 210Pb activity concentrations were from 0.08 to 3.03 Bq kg −1 fresh weight. Grilling of fish resulted in no significant loss of 210Po at 90 °C. The assessed combined annual effective ingestion dose due to 210Po and 210Pb for fish, squid and mussels consumed in Slovenia is 47.6 μSv year −1.

Life Cycle Assessment of fresh and canned mussel processing and consumption in Galicia (NW Spain)

The environmental assessment of the processing and consumption of mussels of the species Mytilus galloprovincialis was carried out for both fresh and canned mussels. For this purpose, the application of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was considered. Inventories for mussel purification in dispatch centres and mussel transformation in canning factories were performed, along with those for household consumption of fresh and canned mussels. Environmental characterization results were computed for different impact categories, including abiotic depletion, global warming, ecotoxicity, human toxicity, acidification, ozone layer depletion, photochemical oxidant formation and eutrophication. As a whole, the environmental hot spots for fresh mussel processing included electricity and chlorine gas production, as well as water discharge in dispatch centres. Similarly, the environmental hot spots for canned mussel processing comprised electricity production, can production and transport, oil production, and fuel oil production. Finally, the implementation of the previous mussel culture stage into the LCA of mussel processing and consumption showed the relevant role of the mussel culture system when assessing the potential environmental impacts of mussel-based products.