|
|
|
J. Venom. Anim. Toxins incl. Trop. Dis. Vol.9, No.2, p.301, 2003. Conference - ISSN 1678-9199. |
PHYCOTOXINS IN THE COAST OF SANTA CATARINA, SOUTHERN BRAZIL
(1)Centro de Ciências Exatas da Terra e do Mar, CTTMar, Universidade do Vale do Itajaí. Caixa Postal 360, Itajaí, SC, 88302-202.
Until a few years ago, documentation on toxins produced by algae in Brazilian waters was rare in the literature and mostly regarded to fresh water environment. Following the growth of shellfish aquaculture off the Santa Catarina coast, in the beginning of 1990´s, a pilot monitoring program to study harmful algae and phycotoxins was set in 1997 at Amação do itapocoroy bight (26o36´ S. 48o 36´ W). Basically, methods used in this program included phytoplankton identification, phytoplankton cell culture, mouse and invertebrate bioassays and HPLC analysis from mussel tissue and plankton samples. Several toxins were found both in mussel tissue and in the water column. Among then, okadaic acid, saxitoxin and congeners and domoic acid were found for the first time in the region. These toxins cause the well documented: diarrhetic, paralytic and amnesic shellfish poisonings syndromes, DSP, PSP and ASP, respectively. Until now, toxic algae species related were the dinoflagellate Dinophysis acuminata, D acuta, Gymnodinium catenatum and the diatom Pseudonitzschia spp. Other potentially toxin-producing algae found were naked flagellates, such as the raphidophytes Heterosigma akashiwo, Fibrocapsa japonica and Chattonella sp. and the haptophyte Phaeocystis cf globosa. Potentially toxic cyanobacteria, Trichodesmium spp, also occurred in the region. These findings show that Brazilian waters are not free phycotoxins producing species and indicate the necessity to establish a continuous monitoring program at mussel culturing areas. The chemical and biological diversity observed makes this a complex issue, which must be accessed, as it may cause serious harm.
CORRESPONDENCE TO: