Investigations into the toxicology of pectenotoxin 2 seco acid and 7-epi pectenotoxin 2 seco acid to aid in a health risk assessment for the consumption of shellfish contaminated with these diarrhetic shellfish toxins in Australia

Project number: 2001-258

Project Status:

Completed

Budget expenditure: $20,000.00

Principal Investigator: Glen Shaw

Organisation: University of Queensland (UQ)

Project start/end date: 28 Mar 2002 - 30 Mar 2003

Contact:

FRDC

Need

The need for the research lies in the fact that no guideline values exist for pectenotoxins in shellfish. To produce these guidelines toxicological data need to be produced and currently there is a lack of knowledge of the PTX metabolism and mechanisms of toxicity. There is currently no oral toxicology data on the PTX2- seco acids and thus their inpact on human health cannot be assessed. There have been no published works of their metabolism in mammals or humans, and their chronic effects on health are unknown. The clinical symptoms are non-specific to DSP poisoning and it is believed that cases of bacterial poisoning and DSP are mis-diagnosed due to lack of toxicological information.

The presence of pectenotoxins can impose significant economic burden on the shellfish industry. Clear toxicological data on pectenotoxins will be used to undertake a risk assessment of pectenotoxins to enable the shellfish industry and regulators to make informed decisions about the withdrawal of product from sale or closure of farms in the presence of pectenotoxins in shellfish.

Objectives

1. A comprehensive study has been undertaken in which the aims are to (i) develop a robust method for extraction, purification and quantification of pectenotoxins in shellfish, (ii) investigate the pathology caused by the pectenotoxins when ingested orally, (iii) investigate P450 metabolism of the purified PTXs with the use of microarray technology and (iv) conduct a health risk assessment for the consumption of seafood contaminated with pectenotoxins. This study will provide a greater understanding of the metabolism and mechanisms of toxicity for the PTXs and provide information useful in the clinical assessment of poisoned patients and also provide information to be used in the setting of guideline values for pectenotoxins in seafood.