Chapter 18
A Comparison of Assay Techniques
for the Analysis of Diarrhetic Shellfish
Poisoning Toxins in Shellfish
R. Raine, A.M. Wilson, G. Hermann, and J.P. Lacaze
Introduction
Contamination of shellfish with Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) toxins
principally derived from Dinophysis spp. is the biggest problem for shellfish
producers with respect to algal biotoxins along the west of the European Atlantic
seaboard (Raine et al. 2010). The onset of these harmful algal events can occur
in a matter of days due to rapid transport of toxic cells into an enclosed area
by oceanographic processes. Rapid analysis of biotoxins in shellfish is therefore
paramount. The standard method within Europe for the analysis of DSP toxins
has been the mouse bioassay (MBA) (Yasumoto et al. 1978), which is often
used in tandem with chemical methods such as liquid chromatography with
mass spectrometry (LC-MS) (EC reg. 2074/2005). These methods have numerous
limitations including their expense and use in a restricted number of laboratories
which can cause long lag times, often exceeding that of the onset of a harmful
algal event. These issues are particularly prevalent in geographically remote
and peripheral regions, and have prompted the requirement of new analytical
technologies for the analysis of algal biotoxins in shellfish to be performed rapidly,
inexpensively, and locally which has particular relevance for local end product
testing. This study investigates the use of two rapid techniques; an immunoassay
and a functional assay, taking advantage of a national monitoring programme where
results can be compared with MBA and LC-MS analysis in order to assess the
accuracy, reliability and ease of use and applicability of these methods.
R. Raine () • A.M. Wilson
The Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
e-mail: robin.raine@nuigalway.ie; annette.wilson@nuigalway.ie
G. Hermann • J.P. Lacaze
Marine Scotland Science, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
e-mail: Guillaume.hermann@scotland.gsi.gov.uk; Jean-pierre.lacaze@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
G. Sauv´ e (ed.), Molluscan Shellfish Safety, DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-6588-7 18,
© Springer ScienceCBusiness Media Dordrecht 2014
205
A Comparison of Assay Techniques
for the Analysis of Diarrhetic Shellfish
Poisoning Toxins in Shellfish
R. Raine, A.M. Wilson, G. Hermann, and J.P. Lacaze
Introduction
Contamination of shellfish with Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) toxins
principally derived from Dinophysis spp. is the biggest problem for shellfish
producers with respect to algal biotoxins along the west of the European Atlantic
seaboard (Raine et al. 2010). The onset of these harmful algal events can occur
in a matter of days due to rapid transport of toxic cells into an enclosed area
by oceanographic processes. Rapid analysis of biotoxins in shellfish is therefore
paramount. The standard method within Europe for the analysis of DSP toxins
has been the mouse bioassay (MBA) (Yasumoto et al. 1978), which is often
used in tandem with chemical methods such as liquid chromatography with
mass spectrometry (LC-MS) (EC reg. 2074/2005). These methods have numerous
limitations including their expense and use in a restricted number of laboratories
which can cause long lag times, often exceeding that of the onset of a harmful
algal event. These issues are particularly prevalent in geographically remote
and peripheral regions, and have prompted the requirement of new analytical
technologies for the analysis of algal biotoxins in shellfish to be performed rapidly,
inexpensively, and locally which has particular relevance for local end product
testing. This study investigates the use of two rapid techniques; an immunoassay
and a functional assay, taking advantage of a national monitoring programme where
results can be compared with MBA and LC-MS analysis in order to assess the
accuracy, reliability and ease of use and applicability of these methods.
R. Raine () • A.M. Wilson
The Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
e-mail: robin.raine@nuigalway.ie; annette.wilson@nuigalway.ie
G. Hermann • J.P. Lacaze
Marine Scotland Science, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
e-mail: Guillaume.hermann@scotland.gsi.gov.uk; Jean-pierre.lacaze@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
G. Sauv´ e (ed.), Molluscan Shellfish Safety, DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-6588-7 18,
© Springer ScienceCBusiness Media Dordrecht 2014
205