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Phycotoxins in Marine Shellfish: Origin, Occurrence and Effects on Humans.
Federica Farabegoli1, Lucía Blanco2, Laura P Rodríguez3
1Food Safety and Industrial Hygiene Division, ANFACO-CECOPESCA. 16, Crta. Colexio Universitario, 36310 Vigo (Pontevedra), Spain. ffarabegoli@anfaco.es.
Marine Drugs
|May 31, 2018
Summary
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) cause seafood poisoning by accumulating marine toxins in shellfish. This review details phycotoxins, their origins, and health effects on humans.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Ecotoxicology
- Food Safety
Background:
- Massive phytoplankton blooms, known as harmful algal blooms (HABs), release toxins that accumulate in filter-feeding shellfish.
- Environmental and climatic factors trigger HABs, involving phytoplankton genera like Alexandrium, Gymnodinium, Dinophysis, and Pseudo-nitzschia.
- HABs pose significant threats to public health, commercial fisheries, tourism, and recreational activities, leading to substantial economic losses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive and updated survey of phycotoxins found in marine invertebrate organisms.
- To detail the properties, origins, and species associated with these marine toxins.
- To elucidate the mechanisms of action and primary human health effects of phycotoxins.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing data on phycotoxins.
- Compilation of information on toxin-producing phytoplankton species and affected marine organisms.
- Analysis of human health impacts, including symptoms and specific poisoning syndromes.
Main Results:
- Identification of key phycotoxins responsible for seafood poisoning.
- Documentation of the accumulation of toxins in shellfish and potential for food chain transfer.
- Categorization of human health effects into distinct syndromes: paralytic shellfish poisoning, amnesic shellfish poisoning, diarrhetic shellfish poisoning, and neurotoxic shellfish poisoning.
Conclusions:
- Phycotoxins from HABs represent a significant risk to seafood safety and human health.
- Understanding toxin properties and origins is crucial for effective monitoring and management of HABs.
- This review serves as a valuable resource for researchers, public health officials, and industry stakeholders involved in marine toxin management.
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