Determination of domoic acid in Japanese mussels by enzyme immunoassay

Ten samples of commercial blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) from Japan were ana lyzed for domoic acid by an indirect competitive enzyme immunoassay (idc-EI A) based on an anti-domoic acid monoclonal antibody. Domoic acid was found in all samples at low concentrations (0.11-1.81 ng/g mussel tissue). The pr esence of domoic acid was confirmed by liquid chromatography coupled with i mmunoaffinity chromatography using an anti-domoic acid monoclonal antibody as ligand. To our knowledge, this is the first reported detection of domoic acid, a causative agent of amnesic shellfish poisoning, in Japanese mussel s.