Rapid detection of ciguatoxins in Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa with immunosensing tools

Consumption of seafood contaminated with ciguatoxins (CTXs) leads to a foodborne disease known as ciguatera. Primary producers of CTXs are epibenthic dinoflagellates of the genera Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa. In this study, thirteen Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa strains were cultured, harvested at exponential phase, and CTXs were extracted with an implemented rapid protocol. Microalgal extracts were obtained from pellets with a low cell abundance (20,000 cell/mL) and were then analyzed with magnetic bead (MB)-based immunosensing tools (colorimetric immunoassay and electrochemical immunosensor). It is the first time that these approaches are used to screen Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa strains, providing not only a global indication of the presence of CTXs, but also the ability to discriminate between two series of congeners (CTX1B and CTX3C). Analysis of the microalgal extracts revealed the presence of CTXs in 11 out of 13 strains and provided new information about Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa toxin profiles. The use of immunosensing tools in the analysis of microalgal extracts facilitates the elucidation of further knowledge regarding these dinoflagellate genera and can contribute to improved ciguatera risk assessment and management.