Publications by authors named "Jorge Giraldez"
Background: Given the recent detection of tetrodotoxin (TTX) in bivalve molluscs but the absence of a full collaborative validation study for TTX determination in a large number of shellfish samples, interlaboratory assessment of method performance was required to better understand current capabilities for accurate and reproducible TTX quantitation using chemical and immunoassay methods.
Objective: The aim was to conduct an interlaboratory study with multiple laboratories, using results to assess method performance and acceptability of different TTX testing methods.
Methods: Homogenous and stable mussel and oyster materials were assessed by participants using a range of published and in-house detection methods to determine mean TTX concentrations.
Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent neurotoxin, considered an emerging toxin in Europe where recently a safety limit of 44 µg TTX kg was recommended by authorities. In this study, three specimens of the large gastropod trumpet shell bought in a market in south Portugal were analyzed using a neuroblastoma cell (N2a) based assay and by LC-MS/MS. N2a toxicity was observed in the viscera of two individuals analyzed and LC-MS/MS showed very high concentrations of TTX (42.
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- - The presence of emerging contaminants, particularly marine biotoxins from toxic microalgae, in food raises significant food safety concerns influenced by various factors, including climate change.
- - Climate change is impacting marine environments and the proliferation of harmful microalgae, leading to new occurrences of toxins like ciguatera and tetrodotoxins in the EU, which were previously limited to tropical regions.
- - The European Food Safety Authorities (EFSA) prioritize risk assessment and management of these emerging biotoxins due to their increasing presence and potential health risks, highlighting a gap in research focused on climate change's effects on food safety.
Tetrodotoxins (TTX) are a potent group of natural neurotoxins putatively produced by symbiotic microorganisms and affecting the aquatic environment. These neurotoxins have been recently found in some species of bivalves and gastropods along the European Coasts (Greece, UK, and The Netherlands) linked to the presence of high concentrations of , in particular . This study is focused on the evaluation of the presence of species and TTX in bivalves (mussels, oysters, cockles, clams, scallops, and razor clams) from Galician Rias (northwest of Spain).
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