Dinoflagellate Toxins Responsible for Ciguatera Food Poisoning
Abstract
Ciguatera is a syndrome occurring in humans who have become intoxicated from eating poisonous fish. Fish sporadically accumulate the toxin through the food chain or directly from eating toxic dinoflagellates. Previous research points to the presence of multiple toxin involvement. Some of these toxins are purported to be ion channel inhibitors or activators. In this fourth year of the contract, growth of the dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus toxicus in mass culture has been successful beyond previous projections and expectations. Purification of the products of one of these toxins down to the 0.5 micrograms/ MU level in milligrams quantities has been achieved. Further purification and interpretation of nuclear magnetic resonance data is still in progress.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 30, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADB157589
Entities
People
- Donald M. Miller
Organizations
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale