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The “Paralytic Shellfish Poisons” (PSP), which can be produced by various marine dinoflagellates, mainly of the genus Alexandrium, and other freshwater algae and cyanobacteria. Due to the accumulation of these neurotoxins during filter feeding, shellfish (mussels, clams, oysters and scallops) can often become contaminated in areas when harmful algal blooms (HABs) are present. When shellfish tissue levels exceed a safe action level, typically 80 ug Saxitoxin diHCl (STX diHCl) equivalent /100 g tissue (800 ppb), the shellfish beds are closed to harvesting. There are over 30 different analogues of STX identified and classified by their different degrees of toxicity. Saxitoxin, Neosaxitoxin, gonyautoxin- (GTX1& 4, GTX 2 & 3) and decarbamoyl-STX (dc-STX) are the more acutely toxic based upon their i.p. toxicity in mice. Beacon developed a quantitative immunoassay, which capable of detecting both Saxitoxin and Neosaxitoxin. Also, GTX1&4, GTX 2&3 can be converted to STX and Neosaxitoxin by L-cysteine treated sample extract. This quantitative ELISA assay can detect the most toxic PSP congeners in shellfish.
