Characterization of New Gambierones Produced by Gambierdiscus balechii 1123M1M10

The benthic dinoflagellate genus Gambierdiscus is the primary producer of toxins responsible for ciguatera poisoning (CP), a food intoxication endemic in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. We used high-performance liquid chromatography tandem high-resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-HRMS) to investigate the toxin profile of Gambierdiscus balechii 1123M1M10, which was obtained from Marakei Island (2 degrees 01 ' N, 173 degrees 15 ' E), Republic of Kiribati, located in the central Pacific Ocean. Four new gambierone analogues including 12,13-dihydro-44-methylgambierone, 38-dehydroxy-12,13-dihydro-44-methylgambierone, 38-dehydroxy-44-methylgambierone, and desulfo-hydroxyl gambierone, and two known compounds, gambierone and 44-methylgambierone, were proposed by analyzing their fragmentation behaviors and pathways. Our findings provide new insights into the toxin profile of Gambierdiscus balechii 1123M1M10, which can be used as a biomarker for species identification, and lay the foundation for further toxin isolation and bioactivity studies of gambierones.

Automated summary

The toxin profile of Gambierdiscus balechii 1123M1M10 from Marakei Island was analyzed, revealing four new gambierone analogues and two known compounds. These findings serve as biomarkers for species identification and provide a basis for further toxin isolation and bioactivity studies.