Development of a data dependent acquisition-based approach for the identification of unknown fast-acting toxins and their ester metabolites.

Phycotoxins in the marine food-web represent a serious threat to human health. Consumption of contaminated shellfish and/or finfish poses risk to consumer safety: several cases of toxins-related seafood poisoning have been recorded so far worldwide. Cyclic imines are emerging lipophilic toxins, which have been detected in shellfish from different European countries.

Analytical screening of marine algal toxins for seafood safety assessment in a protected Mediterranean shallow water environment.

Microalgal species growing in marine and aquaculture environments can be responsible for harmful events because of their ability to produce potent natural toxins that can accumulate in edible mollusc species. Their consumption can cause severe illness and even be lethal. The European Union provides comprehensive regulations covering various general food safety aspects to manage the risk of contamination in shellfish farms.