Shellfish poisoning and toxins

Abstract

Shellfish toxins are the most dangerous marine biotoxins, and produced by free living micro-algae. Shellfish toxins are concentrated in flesh, and poisoning occurs when these contaminated shellfish is consumed. They can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP), neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP), amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP) and azaspiracid shellfish poisoning (AZP), responsible for a variety of gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms in consumers. This article reviews the main types of marine toxins associated with shellfish poisoning and their toxic effects, the limitations of current regulations on marine biotoxins and the techniques used for their detection to ensuring the safety of shellfish for human consumption.