Fluorometric detection of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins

A rapid qualitative screening method was developed for the fractionation of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins. Periodic acid, t-butyl hydroperoxide , and hydrogen peroxide were tested as oxidants for the fluorometric detect ion of paralytic shellfish toxins. hydrogen peroxide was found to be the mo st convenient and efficient oxidant since the fluorescence can be detected after the incubation of toxins at 100 degrees C for 3-5 min. In addition to the structure of the compound, the incubation temperature and time, the am ount of acid, and the peroxide concentration affect the fluorescence reacti on. This method was more efficient than the previously published peroxidati on methods which involved lengthy incubation periods or time-consuming pH a djustment. Also, far greater sensitivity was achieved with the new method w ith levels of 0.027, 0.054, 0.023, 0.003, 0.0002, and 0.0006 pmol being eas ily detected for saxitoxin, neosaxitoxin, gonyautoxin 1 and 4, gonyautoxin 2 and 3, C toxins, and B toxins, respectively. The method is particularly v aluable for the screening of fractions separated by column chromatography. (C) 1998 Academic Press.