Keeping shellfish safe to eat: a brief review of shellfish toxins, and methods for their detection

Poisoning can result from the ingestion of shellfish contaminated with phycotoxins. Various types of poisoning may occur, each of which is caused by a toxin (or group of toxins) from a particular alga. Classically, the mouse bioassay has been used to detect shellfish toxins, but there is pressure, both ethical and regulatory, to move away from this. A number of techniques have been developed to replace the bioassay, including immunoassay, chromatography, pharmacological assay and tissue-culture tests. All have advantages and limitations. These methods and their potential are reviewed. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.