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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent alkaloid typically from tropical ecosystems, but in the last
decade its presence has been more pronounced in the temperate waters of the Atlantic. In its last
scientific opinion, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) stressed the need for data regarding
TTX prevalence in European waters. To address EFSA’s concerns, benthic organisms such as mollusks,
crustaceans, echinoderms and fish with different feeding habits were collected along the Portuguese
continental coast, islands (São Miguel, Azores, and Madeira) and the northwestern Moroccan coast. A
total of 165 samples were analyzed by ultra high performance liquid chromatography high resolution
mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) and ultra high performance chromatography mass spectrometry
(UHPLC-MS/MS). Geographical tendencies were detected as follows, by descending order: S. Miguel
Island (Azores), Moroccan coast, Madeira Island and Portuguese continental coast. The toxin amounts
detected were significant, above the Dutch limit value established in 2017, showing the importance
and the need for continuity of these studies to gain more knowledge about the prevalence of these
toxins, unraveling new vectors, in order to better assess human health risk. This work represents a
general overview of new TTX bearers (7) most of them in gastropods (Patella depressa, Nucella lapillus,
Onchidella celtica and Aplysia depilans), followed by echinoderms (Echinus esculentus and Ophidiaster
ophidianus) and puffer fish Sphoeroides marmoratus.
Description
Keywords
Tetrodotoxin New vectors North Atlantic waters . Faculdade de Ciências da Vida
Citation
Silva, M., Rodríguez, I., Barreiro, A., Kaufmann, M., Neto, A. I., Hassouani, M., ... & Vasconcelos, V. (2019). Tetrodotoxins occurrence in non-traditional vectors of the north atlantic waters (Portuguese maritime territory, and morocco coast). Toxins, 11(6), 306. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins11060306
Publisher
MDPI