• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.4753-4758
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• 2014

In recent times, a number of studies have provided evidence that biotoxins present great potential as antitumor agents, such as snake venom, bee venom, some bacteria toxins and plant toxins, and thus could be used as chemotherapeutic agents against tumors. The biodiversity of venoms and toxins make them a unique source from which novel anticancer agent may be developed. Biotoxins, also known as natural toxins, include toxic substances produced by plants, animals and microorganisms. Here, we systematically list representative biological toxins that have antitumor properties, involving animal toxins, plant toxins, mycotoxins as well as bacterial toxins. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge involving biotoxins and the active compounds that have anti-cancer activity to induce cytotoxic, antitumor, immunomodulatory, and apoptotic effects in different tumor cells in vivo or in vitro. We also show insights into the molecular and functional evolution of biotoxins.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.455-473
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• 2021

In order to aid the researchers who analyze the biotoxins in marine molluscs, this paper introduces the official names and ecological characteristics of the domestically produced or distributed bivalve and gastropods that can be contaminated with marine biotoxins. Also, the paper intends to inform the location and scientific name of each organ of the representative group of species through anatomical maps. In the future, it is necessary to standardize and normalize the names of the species and the research institutions in food codes, scholarly papers and reports on the marine biotoxin analysis.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.411-418
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• 2020

In this study, we reviewed a group of marine biotoxins, namely yessotoxins (YTXs), focusing on their causative organisms, contaminated shellfish, domestic and foreign management status, and analytical methods. Although YTXs have not yet been reported in any cases of seafood contamination in South Korea, it is necessary to implement preemptive measures through continuous monitoring because there is a potential risk, due to the introduction of toxic microalgae associated with climate changes and the introduction of contaminated seafood from various countries. YTXs are produced by dinoflagellates, such as Protecratium reticulatum, Gonyaulax polygramma, Gonyaulax spinifera, and Lingulodinium polyedrum, all of which are species found along Korea's coastal areas. Analysis of YTXs in shellfish samples is mainly performed by use of LC-MS/MS after methanol extraction and SPE cartridge clean-up (HLB or strata-X). In the case of lipophilic marine biotoxins, including YTXs, pectenotoxins, and azaspiracids, the extraction and purification procedures are similar. Thus, it seems that the simultaneous analysis of several lipophilic marine biotoxins in shellfish samples is possible, and optimization is necessary. In addition, continuous monitoring studies on causative marine microalgae for YTXs in Korean coastal waters and contaminations in domestic and imported seafood are needed.

• Food Science and Industry
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.2-19
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• 2009

• ALGAE
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.317-325
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• 2011

Five benthic species of the genus Gambierdiscus (Dinophyceae) were observed for the first time in the coastal waters of Pakistan, Northern Indian Ocean. The morphology of the epiphytic, ciguatera-related toxic species G. toxicus, G. belizeanus, G. polynesiensis, G. australes and G. cf. yasumotoi are presented here, described by the Kofoid system of thecal plates Po, 3', 7", 6c, 8s, 5"', 1p, 2"" with differences in cell shape, cell size, plates, pores around the apical pore plate by using light and scanning electron microscopy. The occurrence of these potentially toxic dinoflagellate species in Pakistani coastal areas of Manora Channel and Balochistan during high temperatures of 28-$32^{\circ}C$ is cause of concern for human health impacts from ciguatera fish poisoning.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.50-56
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• 2003

A freshwater bloom-forming cyanobacterium, Microcystis aeruginosa, and local soil isolate Scytonema sp. strain BT 23 were demonstrated to contain biotoxic secondary metabolites with pesticidal and mosquito larvicidal activities. A purified toxic constituent from M aeruginosa showed an absorption maximum at 230 nm and its toxicity symptoms, Rf value on TLC, and retention time observed ill an HPLC analysis were similar to those of the hepatotoxic heptapeptide microcystin-LR. The bioactive constituent of the Scytonema sp. was less polar in nature and exhibited two peaks at 240 and 285 m. When applied to two cruciffrous pests, Pieris brassicae and Plutella flostella, the crude extracts and toxic principles from the two cyanobacteria showed significant antifeedant activity in a no-choice bioassay, and at higher concenuations exhibited contact toxicity to the insect larvae. The purified toxin from M. aeruginosa was found to be more effective and produced 97.5 and $92.8\%$ larval mortality in the two pests, fo11owing 2 h of toxin treatment at a concentration of $25{\mu}g$ Per leaf disc (2.5 cm dia.). Meanwhile, similar treatment with the purified toxin from Sytonema sp. stain BT 23 only produced 73 and $78\%$ mortality in the two pests. The cyanobacterial constituents also showed significant activity against Culex and Anopheles larvae. The M. aeruginosa toxin ($20{\mu}g\;ml^-1$) caused 98.2 and $88.1\%$ mortality in the Culex and Anopheles larvae, respectively, while the purified toxin from the Sytonema sp. was less toxic and only produced a 96.3 and $91.2\%$ mortality, respectively, at a much higher concentration ($40{\mu}g\;ml^-1$). Accordingly, the current results point to certain hitherto unknown biological properties of cyanobacterial biotoxins.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.321-326
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• 2024

This study analyzed domoic acid (DA), the causative agent of amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP), in shellfish produced in Jinhae Bay, Korea. From January 2018 to December 2020, samples were collected at least once a month from 10 sites in Jinhae bay. This included 170 mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis and 241 oysters Crassostrea gigas. Domoic acid was detected in some samples in collected 2018 and 2019; however, all levels were significantly below the regulatory level of 20 mg/g. Domoic acid was not detected until 2020.Moreover, the detection trend of domoic acid did not show a clear correlation with the shellfish species or season. Calculation of body exposure to domoic acid through shellfish consumption showed that it was below the health-based guidance values in all cases. These results can be used as basic data on domoic acid in shellfish produced in shellfish growing areas and as policy data for the supply of safe seafood. In addition, considering the possibility of changes in marine biotoxins due to changes in aquatic environments, continuous monitoring is necessary.