[Rapid determination of tetrodotoxin using microwave assisted alkaline hydrolysis and spectrofluorometric analysis]

To develop a rapid, simple and sensitive method for determining the concentration of tetrodotoxin(TTX), TTX was hydrolyzed in the strong alkali solution of water mixed with isopropanol. The concentration of TTX can be indirectly analyzed by the fluorescence signal of its alkaline hydrolysis product which can be enhanced by the microwave method. The maximum excitation and emission wavelengths of the alkaline hydrolysis product of tetrodotoxin were 380 and 496 nm, respectively. The linear range of the calibration curve was 0. 1-10 micromol x L(-1) with r=0. 9991. The limit of detection was 0. 05 micromol x L(-1) , which was twenty times lower than before. A rapid, highly sensitive and accurate method was thus established. It can be used as a quantitative method for detecting TTX.