Paralytic Shellfish Toxin Concentrations Measured in Alaskan Arctic Clams Using ELISA and HPLC Methods
Clams are efficient vectors of potent algal neurotoxins, a suite of saxitoxin (STX) congeners collectively called paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs), to higher trophic levels. The Alaskan Arctic is a region facing an expanding threat from PSTs due to ocean warming, yet little is known about PSTs in c...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Toxins |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/17/2/60 |
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| author | Patrick Charapata Emily K. Bowers Donnie Ransom Hardison Steve Kibler Donald M. Anderson Evangeline Fachon Kathi A. Lefebvre |
| author_facet | Patrick Charapata Emily K. Bowers Donnie Ransom Hardison Steve Kibler Donald M. Anderson Evangeline Fachon Kathi A. Lefebvre |
| author_sort | Patrick Charapata |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Clams are efficient vectors of potent algal neurotoxins, a suite of saxitoxin (STX) congeners collectively called paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs), to higher trophic levels. The Alaskan Arctic is a region facing an expanding threat from PSTs due to ocean warming, yet little is known about PSTs in clams from this region. Quantifying total toxicity in bivalves requires analytical techniques, such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are an efficient but only semi-quantitative method for measuring clam toxicity. PSTs (STX eq.) were measured in split clam samples (<i>n</i> = 16) from the Alaskan Arctic using ELISA and HPLC methods to develop a preliminary linear model for conservatively estimating total toxicity in clams from ELISA toxin values (R<sup>2</sup><sub>adj</sub> = 0.95, <i>p</i> < 0.001). Profiles of PST congeners and total toxicity using HPLC were also assessed in additional clams (<i>n</i> = 36 additional, <i>n</i> = 52 total). Clams contained mostly potent PST congeners, and over half of the clams had PST concentrations above the seafood regulatory limit. These data will help assess the exposure risks of PSTs in Arctic marine food webs, as harmful algal bloom activity is predicted to increase as the Arctic continues to warm. |
| first_indexed | 2025-03-14T14:49:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2798c92275d44d7e91f440e43f7a3e0e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6651 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-03-14T14:49:01Z |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Toxins |
| spelling | doaj.art-2798c92275d44d7e91f440e43f7a3e0e2025-02-25T13:51:36ZengMDPI AGToxins2072-66512025-01-011726010.3390/toxins17020060Paralytic Shellfish Toxin Concentrations Measured in Alaskan Arctic Clams Using ELISA and HPLC MethodsPatrick Charapata0Emily K. Bowers1Donnie Ransom Hardison2Steve Kibler3Donald M. Anderson4Evangeline Fachon5Kathi A. Lefebvre6Environmental and Fisheries Science Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Seattle, WA 98112, USAEnvironmental and Fisheries Science Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Seattle, WA 98112, USABeaufort Laboratory, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 101 Pivers Island Road, Beaufort, NC 28516, USABeaufort Laboratory, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 101 Pivers Island Road, Beaufort, NC 28516, USABiology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USABiology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USAEnvironmental and Fisheries Science Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Seattle, WA 98112, USAClams are efficient vectors of potent algal neurotoxins, a suite of saxitoxin (STX) congeners collectively called paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs), to higher trophic levels. The Alaskan Arctic is a region facing an expanding threat from PSTs due to ocean warming, yet little is known about PSTs in clams from this region. Quantifying total toxicity in bivalves requires analytical techniques, such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are an efficient but only semi-quantitative method for measuring clam toxicity. PSTs (STX eq.) were measured in split clam samples (<i>n</i> = 16) from the Alaskan Arctic using ELISA and HPLC methods to develop a preliminary linear model for conservatively estimating total toxicity in clams from ELISA toxin values (R<sup>2</sup><sub>adj</sub> = 0.95, <i>p</i> < 0.001). Profiles of PST congeners and total toxicity using HPLC were also assessed in additional clams (<i>n</i> = 36 additional, <i>n</i> = 52 total). Clams contained mostly potent PST congeners, and over half of the clams had PST concentrations above the seafood regulatory limit. These data will help assess the exposure risks of PSTs in Arctic marine food webs, as harmful algal bloom activity is predicted to increase as the Arctic continues to warm.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/17/2/60paralytic shellfish toxinsArcticclamsAlaskaELISAHPLC |
| spellingShingle | Patrick Charapata Emily K. Bowers Donnie Ransom Hardison Steve Kibler Donald M. Anderson Evangeline Fachon Kathi A. Lefebvre Paralytic Shellfish Toxin Concentrations Measured in Alaskan Arctic Clams Using ELISA and HPLC Methods Toxins paralytic shellfish toxins Arctic clams Alaska ELISA HPLC |
| title | Paralytic Shellfish Toxin Concentrations Measured in Alaskan Arctic Clams Using ELISA and HPLC Methods |
| title_full | Paralytic Shellfish Toxin Concentrations Measured in Alaskan Arctic Clams Using ELISA and HPLC Methods |
| title_fullStr | Paralytic Shellfish Toxin Concentrations Measured in Alaskan Arctic Clams Using ELISA and HPLC Methods |
| title_full_unstemmed | Paralytic Shellfish Toxin Concentrations Measured in Alaskan Arctic Clams Using ELISA and HPLC Methods |
| title_short | Paralytic Shellfish Toxin Concentrations Measured in Alaskan Arctic Clams Using ELISA and HPLC Methods |
| title_sort | paralytic shellfish toxin concentrations measured in alaskan arctic clams using elisa and hplc methods |
| topic | paralytic shellfish toxins Arctic clams Alaska ELISA HPLC |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/17/2/60 |
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