engleski

Differential accumulation of domoic acid in European oysters, Queen scallops and ascidians Microcosmus spp.

Being filter feeders, shellfish and ascidians can accumulate contaminants present in environment becoming their vectors to higher food chain. Consumption of bivalves contaminated with potent neurotoxin - domoic acid can cause Amnesic shellfish poisoning syndrome. The aim of this study was to determine differences in occurrence and accumulation of this hydrophilic marine biotoxin 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 part of the Adriatic Sea. Determination was performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) preceded by derivatization with dansyl chloride in order to achieve lower limit of detection. Domoic acid was found in very low concentrations throughout the year, with maximum value of 0.8 mg/kg. This study reveals differences in occurrence and accumulation of domoic acid among investigated species. Though domoic acid was detected in all of them, Queen scallops have a greater preference for this phycotoxin accumulation as compared to other two, making them suitable sentinel species for monitoring the level of domoic acid in seafood.

domoic acid ; LC-MS/MS ; shellfish ; ascidians

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