Occurrence of tetrodotoxin and paralytic shellfish toxins in Phallusia nigra (Tunicata, Ascidiacea) from the brazilian coast



Document title: Occurrence of tetrodotoxin and paralytic shellfish toxins in Phallusia nigra (Tunicata, Ascidiacea) from the brazilian coast
Journal: The journal of venomous animals and toxins
Database: PERIÓDICA
System number: 000298566
ISSN: 0104-7930
Authors: 1
2

Institutions: 1Universidade de Sao Paulo, Instituto de Biociencias, Sao Paulo. Brasil
2Kitasato University, School of Fisheries Sciences, Iwate. Japón
Year:
Volumen: 2
Number: 1
Pages: 28-38
Country: Brasil
Language: Inglés
Document type: Artículo
Approach: Experimental
English abstract We have already shown the presence of guanidine neurotoxins in calcareous red algae and mussels collected in the São Sebastião channel (State of São Paulo, Brazil). It is known that these neurotoxins comprise more than 25 analogues such as tetrodotoxin (TTX) and derivatives plus the paralytic shellfish toxins (PST) found in a variety of marine, freshwater and amphibious species. Filter feeding animals generally possess large amounts of these neurotoxins. The tunicates are sessil marine animals with a high rate of sea water filtration. The tunics and siphons of 50 specimens of Phallusia nigra were dissected and the visceral organs were immersed in methanol containing acetic acid 0.02 N pH 5.0. The extract was prepared by homogenization, filtration and the methanolic phase was concentrated under reduced pressure and defatted with chloroform. The polar phase was evaporated and the residue dissolved in deionized water for further purification in ionic-exchange resin column (Bio-Gel P-2) and HPLC analysis. The extract showed paralytic effects on mouse assay (26.9 MU/100mg) and on crustacean isolated nerve preparations. The chemical analysis for TTX and PST revealed toxins with retention times similar to gonyautoxins, saxitoxins and TTX. These findings are important to explain future toxin envenoming outbreaks on the Brazilian coast
Disciplines: Biología
Keyword: Cordados,
Bioquímica,
Toxicología,
Toxinas paralizantes de moluscos,
Tetrodotoxina,
Phallusia nigra,
Ascidiacea
Keyword: Biology,
Chordates,
Biochemistry,
Toxicology,
Paralyzing shellfish toxins,
Tetrodotoxin,
Phallusia nigra,
Ascidiacea
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