Improved methods of detection for the difficult to identify marine toxin, Okadaic acid
- UNCW Author/Contributor (non-UNCW co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Terry L. Harper (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW )
- Web Site: http://library.uncw.edu/
- Advisor
- Jeffery Wright
Abstract: The focus of this study was to investigate an alternative, economic approach to the
detection of the diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) toxins in microalgae and shellfish. This
group of marine toxins has had a negative impact on human health and economy of the shellfish
industry. The method selected for investigation was the evaporative light scattering detector
(ELSD).
Chemical detection of any member of the DSP toxins is compromised by the fact that
none of them contain a strong chromophore or fluorophore. Preparation of a fluorescent
derivative involves a time consuming chemical reaction and specialized equipment that yields
questionable toxin concentration accuracy. Alternatively other biochemical methods have been
reported, which include an enzyme bioassay using protein phosphatase, or an enzyme linked
immunosorbent assays (ELISA). However, these methods are not economical, often requiring
specialty reagents, and in the case of the ELISA-based assay, not all the members of the DSP
toxin group may be detected with equal sensitivity. The mouse bioassay, used almost
universally, can only be used in a broad empirical sense, and there is reluctance among certain
countries to continue using this method as a routine monitoring method. More recently, mass
spectrometry is often used and may be the best detector available, but the initial capitol cost is
high, as is the daily operation of the instrument. Consequently, this detection method is most
usually reserved for research laboratories. In selecting an economical detection method for these
toxins, the ELS detector offered an attractive, inexpensive approach. The results reported here,
where DSP toxins were monitored in phytoplankton and shellfish tissue, support that hypothesis.
Improved methods of detection for the difficult to identify marine toxin, Okadaic acid
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Created on 1/1/2009
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- A Thesis Submitted to the University of North Carolina Wilmington in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science
- Language: English
- Date: 2009
- Keywords
- Algal toxins--Analysis, Marine phytoplankton--Research, Marine phytoplankton--Toxicology, Marine toxins--Analysis, Poisonous shellfish--Research, Shellfish as food--Contamination
- Subjects
- Marine toxins -- Analysis
- Poisonous shellfish -- Research
- Marine phytoplankton -- Research
- Marine phytoplankton -- Toxicology
- Algal toxins -- Analysis
- Shellfish as food -- Contamination