Tissue accumulation of tetrodotoxin (TTX) and analogues in trumpet shell Charonia lampas

Abstract

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent neurotoxin responsible for a human intoxication event in Spain associated with the consumption of trumpet shell Charonia lampas. In Europe, TTX is not regulated or monitored, and there is little knowledge about its presence in seafood. Here, we investigated the tissue distribution of TTX and analogues in three specimens of trumpet shell C. lampas bought in a market in southern Portugal. Toxin concentration was above the EFSA recommended limit in the non-edible tissues of all specimens and within the limit in the edible tissues of two specimens. 4,9-AnhydroTTX and 13 additional TTX analogues were detected in tissues, the most abundant being anhydrotrideoxyTTX and trideoxyTTX. These results suggest that although thorough evisceration may lower the amount of TTX consumed, it may not be sufficient to ensure consumer safety. Regular monitoring of TTX and analogues in trumpet shell and other edible gastropods is therefore recommended to avoid poisoning incidents.

Keywords:

• Marine biotoxins
• seafood safety
• gastropods
• occurrence data
• European waters
• UHPLC-HRMS

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Widening Fellowship No. 101003376, and by Portuguese national funds from FCT – Foundation for Science and Technology through projects UIDB/04326/2020, UIDP/04326/2020 and LA/P/0101/2020, and from the operational programmes CRESC Algarve 2020 and COMPETE 2020 through project EMBRC.PT ALG-01-0145-FEDER-022121.