• 한국수산과학회지
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• 제50권6호
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• pp.669-674
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• 2017

Paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) are produced by marine dinoflagellate phytoplankton Alexandrium spp. and Gymnodinium spp. These toxins accumulate in filter feeding organisms such as bivalves and the ingestion of contaminated shellfish can cause illness in humans. The mouse bioassay (MBA) has been the preferred PST testing method worldwide for more than 50 years. However, this assay has several disadvantages, such as detection limits, non-toxic-profiles, and the ethical issues of using animals. The aim of this study was to establish an alternative to the MBA method for testing for PSTs. We optimized the analysis conditions of a post-column oxidation-high performance liquid chromatography (PCOX-HPLC) method and the Scotia Rapid Test Kit, and then compared the accuracy of these methods to the MBA method. The results demonstrated a strong correlation between the PCOX-HPLC method and the MBA, although the PCOX-HPLC method required expensive equipment and standard material, and was time consuming. The Scotia Rapid Test Kit promises to be a useful tool, as it provided rapid and qualitative results, although the method sometimes gave a false positive result that could not be explained by toxin profiles.