DIN EN 14526:2017-04

Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins are derivatives of saxitoxin. These toxins have been detected in filter-feeding bivalve molluscs in various parts of the world. Paralytic shellfish poisoning is characterized by symptoms varying from slight tingling sensation or numbness around the lips to fatal respiratory paralysis. This document describes an analytical method (revised Lawrence method) for the quantification of these PSP toxins by extraction from shellfish tissue followed by several clean-up steps and a separation by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection (FLD). The following toxins can be determined: saxitoxin (STX), decarbamoyl saxitoxin (dcSTX), neosaxitoxin (NEO), decarbamoyl neosaxitoxin (dcNEO), gonyautoxin 1 and 4 (GTX1,4; sum of isomers), gonyautoxin 2 and 3 (GTX2,3; sum of isomers), gonyautoxin 5 (GTX5 also called B1), gonyautoxin 6 (GTX6 also called B2), decarbamoyl gonyautoxin 2 and 3 (dcGTX2,3; sum of isomers), N-sulfocarbamoyl-gonyautoxin 1 and 2 (C1,2; sum of isomers) and (depending on the availability of certified reference materials (CRMs)) N-sulfocarbamoyl-gonyautoxin 3 and 4 (C3,4; sum of isomers). The matrices analysed were (raw) mussels, oysters, scallops and clams. Laboratory experience has shown, that it is also be applicable in other shellfish and cooked shellfish products. The method described was validated in a collaborative study and published as AOAC Official Method. This method was also verified in a EURL-performance test aiming the total toxicity of the samples. Toxins which were not available in the first collaborative study as dcGTX2,3 and dcNEO were validated in two additional studies. The lowest validated levels are given in µg toxin (free base) per kg shellfish meat and also as µmol/kg shellfish meat.