A Generic LC-HRMS Screening Method for Marine and Freshwater Phycotoxins in Fish, Shellfish, Water, and Supplements
Mirjam D Klijnstra1, Elisabeth J Faassen1,2, Arjen Gerssen1
1Wageningen Food Safety Research, Wageningen University and Research, Akkermaalsbos 2, 6708 WB Wageningen, The Netherlands.
A new screening method detects marine and freshwater phycotoxins in seafood, water, and supplements. This method aids in identifying harmful algal bloom toxins, protecting public health from contaminated food and water.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Food Safety
Background:
- Phycotoxins from marine and freshwater environments pose risks through consumption of contaminated seafood, water, or supplements.
- Intoxication symptoms range from paralysis and diarrhea to amnesia, necessitating accurate toxin identification.
- Existing methods may not cover the broad range of phycotoxins and matrices effectively.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a comprehensive screening method for both hydrophilic and lipophilic phycotoxins.
- To enable the detection of these toxins across diverse matrices including fish, shellfish, water, and food supplements.
- To provide a reliable tool for identifying causative agents of phycotoxin intoxication when the source is not immediately apparent.
Main Methods:
- Development of two distinct Liquid Chromatography (LC) methods: one for hydrophilic and one for lipophilic phycotoxins.
- Analysis of sample extracts using an Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometer in full scan mode.
- Creation of a dedicated database for efficient processing and analysis of mass spectrometry data.
Main Results:
- Successful validation of the screening method for most tested matrices, demonstrating broad applicability.
- Quantification of regulated lipophilic phycotoxins, including domoic acid and certain paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins, in shellfish samples.
- Identified limitations for hydrophilic phycotoxins in seawater and lipophilic phycotoxins in food supplements.
Conclusions:
- The developed LC-Orbitrap method serves as a valuable screening tool for a wide range of phycotoxins in various matrices.
- While effective for screening, confirmation of suspected toxins requires comparison with standards or complementary analyses like NMR.
- The method contributes to improved food safety and environmental monitoring by enabling better detection of harmful algal bloom-related toxins.
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