|
(42-01) Biokinetics and biotransformation of paralytic shellfish poisons in green-lipped mussels and common fan mussels of Hong Kong. Li, Ashley M.Y.*,1, Lam, Paul K. S.1, 1 City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, . ABSTRACT- Increasing reports of algal blooms or ′red tides′ around the world in the past decades have raised public concern towards this issue, particularly in regard to harmful algal blooms (HABs). HABs are usually caused by a small group of marine dinoflagellates that produce non-protein potent neurotoxins. These HABs appear to be increasing worldwide both in frequency and in geographic area and have caused major adverse impacts to mariculture industries. Since most bivalves accumulate algal toxins in their body with no apparent effect on their feeding activity, Perna virdis (green-lipped mussel) and Pinna atropurpurea (common fan mussel) were used to study the uptake kinetics and biotransformation of paralytic shellfish poisons (PSPs) by feeding the mussels with Alexandrium tamarense (ATCI01). Toxin contents and toxin profiles of the algae were studied. It was found that the toxin contents increased with algal cell density and C2 toxin was the dominant component of the toxin profiles with a small amount of GTX3. The two mussels were exposed to an algal density mimicking bloom situation, 104 cells/ml. Throughout the exposure period, no change in the physiological behavior of the mussels was observed. At regular time intervals, a few mussels were dissected and the toxin contents of different body compartments (hepatopancreas, gills, foot, adductor muscle, viscera) were analyzed using HPLC after acid extraction. Highest toxicity was observed in the hepatopancreas which confirmed with the literature data. The toxin profiles for the hepatopancreas was similar to that of the A. tamarense strain, used for exposure. This study also attempts to develop a four-compartment model to predict toxin burdens in various body parts of bivalves collected under bloom condition in the field. Key words: HABs, Alexandrium tamarense, PSPs |
