Algal ciguatoxin identified as source of ciguatera poisoning in the Caribbean

In this study, in vitro and chemical techniques were applied to unambiguously identify a novel C-CTX analogue, C-CTX5, from Gambierdiscus silvae and Gambierdiscus caribaeus strains from the Caribbean. Metabolism in vitro by fish liver microsomes converted algal C-CTX5 into C-CTX1/2, the dominant CTX in ciguatoxic fish from the Caribbean. Furthermore, C-CTX5 from G. silvae was confirmed to have voltage-gated sodium-channel-specific activity. This finding is crucial for risk assessment, understanding the fate of C-CTXs in food webs, and is a prerequisite for development of effective analytical methods and monitoring programs. The identification of an algal precursor produced by two Gambierdiscus species is a major breakthrough for ciguatera research that will foster major advances in this important seafood safety issue.PMID:37044143 | DOI:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138659

Source: Chemosphere - April 12, 2023 Category: Chemistry Authors: Elizabeth M Mudge Christopher O Miles Lada Ivanova Silvio Uhlig Keiana S James Deana L Erdner Christiane K F æste Pearse McCarron Alison Robertson Source Type: research