Sixteen laboratories participated in a collaborative study to evaluate method performance parameters of a liquid chromatographic method of analysis for paralytic shellfsh toxins (PST) in blue mussels (Mytilus edulis), soft shell clams (Mya arenaria), sea scallops (Placopectin magellanicus), and American oysters (Crassostrea virginicus). The specifc analogs tested included saxitoxin, neosaxitoxin, gonyautoxins-1 to -5, decarbamoyl-gonyautoxins-2 and -3, decarbamoyl-saxitoxin, and N-sulfocarbamoylgonyautoxin-2 and -3. This instrumental technique has been developed as a replacement for the current AOAC biological method (AOAC Offcial Method^SM 959.08) and an alternative to the pre-column oxidation LC method (AOAC Offcial Method^SM 2005.06). The method is based on reversed-phase liquid chromatography with post-column oxidation and fluorescence detection (excitation 330 nm and emission 390 nm). The shellfsh samples used in the study were prepared from the edible tissues of clams, mussels, oysters, and scallops to contain concentrations of PST representative of low, medium, and high toxicities and with varying profles of individual toxins. These concentrations are approximately equivalent to ½ maximum level (ML), ML, or 2×ML established by regulatory authorities (0.40, 0.80, and 1.60 mg STX·diHCl eq/kg, respectively). Recovery for the individual toxins ranged from 104 to 127%, and recovery of total toxin averaged 116%. Horwitz Ratio (HorRat) values for individual toxins in the materials included in the study were generally within the desired range of 0.3 to 2.0. For the estimation of total toxicity in the test materials, the reproducibility relative standard deviation ranged from 4.6 to 20%. A bridging study comparing the results from the study participants using the post-column oxidation (PCOX) method with the results obtained in the study director’s laboratory on the same test materials using the accepted reference method, the mouse bioassay (MBA; AOAC Offcial Method^SM 959.08), showed that the average ratio of results obtained from the two methods was 1.0. A good match of values was also achieved with a new certifed reference material. The results from this study demonstrated that the PCOX method is a suitable method of analysis for PST in shellfsh tissue and provides both an estimate of total toxicity, equivalent to that determined using the MBA AOAC Offcial Method^SM 959.08, and a detailed profle of the individual toxin present in the sample.

A rapid liquid chromatographic (LC) method with postcolumn oxidation and fluorescence detection (excitation 330 nm, emission 390 nm) for the determination of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) in shellfish tissue has been developed. Extracts prepared for mouse bioassay (MBA) were treated with trichloroacetic acid to precipitate protein, centrifuged, and pH-adjusted for LC analysis. Saxitoxin (STX), neoSTX (NEO), decarbamoylSTX (dcSTX), and the gonyautoxins, GTX1, GTX2, GTX3, GTX4, GTX5, dcGTX2, and dcGTX3, were separated on a polar-linked alkyl reversed-phase column using a step gradient elution; the N-sulfocarbamoyl GTXs, C1, C2, C3, and C4, were determined on a C-8 reversed-phase column in the isocratic mode. Relative toxicities were used to determine STX-dihydrochloride salt (diHCl) equivalents (STXeq). Calibration graphs were linear for all toxins studied with STX showing a correlation coefficient of 0.999 and linearity between 0.18 and 5.9 ng STX-diHCl injected (equivalent to 3.9128 g STXeq/100 g in tissue). Detection limits for individual toxins ranged from 0.07 g STXeq/100 g for C1 and C3 to 4.1 g STXeq/100 g for GTX1. Spike recoveries ranged from 76 to 112 in mussel tissue. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of repeated injections of GTX and STX working standard solutions was <4. Uncertainty of measurement at a level of 195 g STXeq/100 g was 9, and within-laboratory reproducibility expressed as RSD was 4.6 using the same material. Repeatability of a 65 g STXeq/100 g sample was 3.0 RSD. Seventy-three samples were analyzed by the new postcolumn method and both AOAC Official Methods for PST determination: the MBA (y = 1.22x + 13.99, r² = 0.86) and the precolumn LC oxidation method of Lawrence (y = 2.06x + 12.21, r² = 0.82).

In 2011, a Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) outbreak occurred in British Columbia (BC), Canada that was associated with cooked mussel consumption. This is the first reported DSP outbreak in BC. Investigation of ill individuals, traceback of product and laboratory testing for toxins were used in this investigation. Sixty-two illnesses were reported. Public health and food safety investigation identified a common food source and harvest area. Public health and regulatory agencies took actions to recall product and notify the public. Shellfish monitoring program changes were implemented after the outbreak. Improved response and understanding of toxin production will improve management of future DSP outbreaks.

Thirty shrimp, marine fish, freshwater fish, and canned fish composite samples collected and prepared as part of the Canadian Total Diet Study were analysed for 39 different veterinary drug residues. The analyses were undertaken to obtain baseline data that could be used to estimate the dietary exposure of Canadians to these residues. The most frequently observed residue was AOZ (four out of 30 samples), the metabolite of furazolidone, at a range of 0.50 to 2.0 ng g⁻¹ wet weight. Other residues detected included enrofloxacin (three samples; 0.3–0.73 ng g⁻¹), leucomalachite green (three samples; 0.73–1.2 ng g⁻¹), oxolinic acid (two samples; 0.3–4.3 ng g⁻¹), AMOZ (the metabolite of furaltadone; one sample; 0.40 ng g⁻¹), chloramphenicol (one sample; 0.40 ng g⁻¹), and SEM (the metabolite of nitrofurazone; one sample; 0.8 ng g⁻¹). The results of this survey indicate that Canadians are exposed to low ng g⁻¹ concentrations of some banned and unapproved veterinary drug residues via the consumption of certain fish and shrimp.