Occurrence of tetrodotoxin and paralytic shellfish toxins in Phallusia nigra (Tunicata, Ascidiacea) from the brazilian coast
J. venom. anim. toxins
;
2(1): 28-38, 1996. tab, ilus
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-194269
RESUMO
We have already shown the presence of guanidine neurotoxins in calcareous red algae and mussels collected in the Säo Sebastiäo channel State of Säo Paulo,Brazil). It is known that these neurotoxins comprise more than 25 analogues such as tetrodotoxin (TTX) and derivatives plus the paralytic shellfish toxins (PST) found in a variety of marine, freshwater and amphibious species. Filter feeding animals generally possess large amounts of these neurotoxins. The tunicates are sessil marine animals with a high rate of sea water filtration. The tunics and siphons of 50 specimens of Phallusia nigra were dissected and the visceral organs were immersed in methanol containing acetic acid 0.02 N ph 5.0. The extract was prepared by homogenization, filtration and the methanolic phase was concentrated under reduced pressure and defatted with chloroform. The polar phase was evaporated and the residue dissolved in deionized water for further purification in ionic-exchange resin column (Bio-Gel P-2) and HPLC analysis. The extract showed paralytic effects on mouse assay (26.9 MU/100mg) and on crustacean isolated nerve preparations. The chemical analysis for TTX and PST revealed toxins with retention times similar to gonyautoxins, saxitoxins and TTX. These findings are important to explain future toxin envenoming outbreaks on the Brazilian coast.
Full text:
Available
Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Paralysis
/
Saxitoxin
/
Seawater
/
Tetrodotoxin
/
Urochordata
/
Water Microbiology
/
Dinoflagellida
/
Brachyura
/
Mollusca
/
Neurotoxins
Limits:
Animals
Country/Region as subject:
South America
/
Brazil
Language:
English
Journal:
J. venom. anim. toxins
Journal subject:
Toxicology
Year:
1996
Type:
Article
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS