Paralytic shellfish poisoning in Taiwan. In：T. Okaichi, D. M. Anderson and T. Nemoto (eds.)

Abstract

Food poisoning incidents due to ingesting cultured purple clam Soletellina diphos occurred in South Taiwan in January 1986. Clam specimens were collected and assayed for lethal potency as paralytic shellfish poison (PSP). The digestive gland showed the highest potency of 2,000±1,600 (mean±S.E.) MU/g, followed by other parts (160±110 MU/g) and siphon (33±24 MU/g). HPLC and other analyses demonstrated that the responsible toxin consisted almost exclusively of gonyautoxins 1-4 (GTX1-4). The potency of the clam decreased down to 6±4 MU/g digestive gland in December 1986. Subsequent surveillance for toxic purple clams showed that specimens obtained at a market were found to have a potency of 15 MUig edible parts. The toxin was composed of GTX1-4, along with some saxitoxin and neosaxitoxin.