Shellfish poisoning is caused by a group of toxins elaborated by planktonic algae (dinoflagellates), in most cases upon which the shellfish feed. The main groups of biotoxins harmful for human beings are: DSP, NSP, ASP and PSP. The most frequent and dangerous for our lives is paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). In the case of PSP, the effects are predominantly neurological and include tingling, burning, numbness, drowsiness, incoherent speech, and respiratory paralysis. The 20 toxins responsible for paralytic shellfish poisoning are all derivatives of the saxitoxin group. Saxitoxin is heat-stable and unaffected by standard cooking or steaming; it is water-soluble, and can be concentrated in broth. To prevent outbreaks of PSP and other shellfish intoxications, samples of susceptible mollusks are periodically collected in the coastal states and tested for toxin by mouse bioassay. When toxin levels exceed 80 µg/100 g, affected growing areas are quarantined, and sale of shellfish is prohibited. Modern chemical techniques, for instance immunoassay, phosphatase test or chromatography (HPLC, LC-MS), are quite suitable for the detection of PSP.
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