New Trends in the Occurrence of Yessotoxins in the Northwestern Adriatic Sea

Yessotoxins (YTXs) are polycyclic toxic ether compounds produced by phytoplanktonic dinoflagellates which accumulate in filter-feeding organisms. We know that the water temperature in our areas Northwestern Adriatic Sea is optimal for the growth of potentially toxic algae (around 20 °C). In recent y...

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Main Authors: Silva Rubini, Sabrina Albonetti, Simonetta Menotta, Antonio Cervo, Emanuele Callegari, Monica Cangini, Sonia Dall’Ara, Erika Baldini, Silvia Vertuani, Stefano Manfredini
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-09-01
Series:Toxins
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/13/9/634
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author Silva Rubini
Sabrina Albonetti
Simonetta Menotta
Antonio Cervo
Emanuele Callegari
Monica Cangini
Sonia Dall’Ara
Erika Baldini
Silvia Vertuani
Stefano Manfredini
author_facet Silva Rubini
Sabrina Albonetti
Simonetta Menotta
Antonio Cervo
Emanuele Callegari
Monica Cangini
Sonia Dall’Ara
Erika Baldini
Silvia Vertuani
Stefano Manfredini
author_sort Silva Rubini
collection DOAJ
description Yessotoxins (YTXs) are polycyclic toxic ether compounds produced by phytoplanktonic dinoflagellates which accumulate in filter-feeding organisms. We know that the water temperature in our areas Northwestern Adriatic Sea is optimal for the growth of potentially toxic algae (around 20 °C). In recent years, these temperatures have remained at these levels for longer and longer periods, probably due to global warming, which has led to an excessive increase in toxin levels. The interruption of mussel harvesting caused by algae negatively affects farmers’ revenues and the availability of local fish, causing a major economic loss in Italy’s main shellfish sector. Methods: In the nine years considered, 3359 samples were examined: 1715 marine waters, 73 common clams; 732 mussels; 66 oysters; and 773 veracious clams. Bivalve molluscs were examined for the presence of marine biotoxins, including YTXs, while potentially toxic algae, including those producing YTXs, were searched for and counted in marine waters. The method adopted for the quantification of lipophilic toxins involves the use of an LC-MS/MS system. The enumeration of phytoplankton cells was performed according to the Utermhöl method. Results: Between 2012 and 2020, 706 molluscs were tested for YTXs. In total, 246 samples tested positive, i.e., 34.84%. Of the positive samples, 30 exceeded the legal limit. Conclusion: In this regard, it is essential to develop and activate, as soon as possible, an “early warning” system that allows a better control of the production areas of live bivalve molluscs, thus allowing an optimal management of the plants in these critical situations.
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spelling doaj.art-2f2f5e3b2f164d29b8a2ec49513cc1ac2023-11-22T15:31:15ZengMDPI AGToxins2072-66512021-09-0113963410.3390/toxins13090634New Trends in the Occurrence of Yessotoxins in the Northwestern Adriatic SeaSilva Rubini0Sabrina Albonetti1Simonetta Menotta2Antonio Cervo3Emanuele Callegari4Monica Cangini5Sonia Dall’Ara6Erika Baldini7Silvia Vertuani8Stefano Manfredini9Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Lombardy and Emilia Romagna, 44124 Ferrara, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medical Sciences, DIMEVET, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, Ozzano Emilia, 40064 Bologna, ItalyExperimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Lombardia and Emilia Romagna, Food Chemical Department of Bologna, Via P. Fiorini 5, 40127 Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Veterinary Medical Sciences, DIMEVET, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, Ozzano Emilia, 40064 Bologna, ItalyExperimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Lombardy and Emilia Romagna, 44124 Ferrara, ItalyNational Reference Laboratory for Marine Biotoxins-Viale A. Vespucci, 2-47042 Cesenatico, ItalyNational Reference Laboratory for Marine Biotoxins-Viale A. Vespucci, 2-47042 Cesenatico, ItalyDepartment of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Prevention, Master Course in Cosmetic Science, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, ItalyDepartment of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Prevention, Master Course in Cosmetic Science, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, ItalyDepartment of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Prevention, Master Course in Cosmetic Science, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, ItalyYessotoxins (YTXs) are polycyclic toxic ether compounds produced by phytoplanktonic dinoflagellates which accumulate in filter-feeding organisms. We know that the water temperature in our areas Northwestern Adriatic Sea is optimal for the growth of potentially toxic algae (around 20 °C). In recent years, these temperatures have remained at these levels for longer and longer periods, probably due to global warming, which has led to an excessive increase in toxin levels. The interruption of mussel harvesting caused by algae negatively affects farmers’ revenues and the availability of local fish, causing a major economic loss in Italy’s main shellfish sector. Methods: In the nine years considered, 3359 samples were examined: 1715 marine waters, 73 common clams; 732 mussels; 66 oysters; and 773 veracious clams. Bivalve molluscs were examined for the presence of marine biotoxins, including YTXs, while potentially toxic algae, including those producing YTXs, were searched for and counted in marine waters. The method adopted for the quantification of lipophilic toxins involves the use of an LC-MS/MS system. The enumeration of phytoplankton cells was performed according to the Utermhöl method. Results: Between 2012 and 2020, 706 molluscs were tested for YTXs. In total, 246 samples tested positive, i.e., 34.84%. Of the positive samples, 30 exceeded the legal limit. Conclusion: In this regard, it is essential to develop and activate, as soon as possible, an “early warning” system that allows a better control of the production areas of live bivalve molluscs, thus allowing an optimal management of the plants in these critical situations.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/13/9/634Yessotoxinsglobal warningtoxic phytoplanktonmolluscsLC-MS/MSstructure-activity relationships
spellingShingle Silva Rubini
Sabrina Albonetti
Simonetta Menotta
Antonio Cervo
Emanuele Callegari
Monica Cangini
Sonia Dall’Ara
Erika Baldini
Silvia Vertuani
Stefano Manfredini
New Trends in the Occurrence of Yessotoxins in the Northwestern Adriatic Sea
Toxins
Yessotoxins
global warning
toxic phytoplankton
molluscs
LC-MS/MS
structure-activity relationships
title New Trends in the Occurrence of Yessotoxins in the Northwestern Adriatic Sea
title_full New Trends in the Occurrence of Yessotoxins in the Northwestern Adriatic Sea
title_fullStr New Trends in the Occurrence of Yessotoxins in the Northwestern Adriatic Sea
title_full_unstemmed New Trends in the Occurrence of Yessotoxins in the Northwestern Adriatic Sea
title_short New Trends in the Occurrence of Yessotoxins in the Northwestern Adriatic Sea
title_sort new trends in the occurrence of yessotoxins in the northwestern adriatic sea
topic Yessotoxins
global warning
toxic phytoplankton
molluscs
LC-MS/MS
structure-activity relationships
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/13/9/634
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