1 research outputs found
Pacific Ciguatoxins in Food Web Components of Coral Reef Systems in the Republic of Kiribati
Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) is
a foodborne illness caused by
consumption of coral reef fishes contaminated by ciguatoxins (CTXs);
of the known CTX congeners, the Pacific ciguatoxins (P-CTXs) are the
most toxic. Little is known about the trophodynamics of P-CTXs in
coral reef systems. The present study explores the distribution, transfer,
and trophic magnification of P-CTX-1, -2, and -3 in coral reef systems
with high (ciguatoxic) and low (reference) ciguatoxicity in a CFP-endemic
nation by use of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
In ciguatoxic coral reef systems, P-CTXs were detected in 54% of herbivorous
fishes [total P-CTXs <0.500–1670 pg/g wet weight (ww)],
72% of omnivorous fishes (<0.500–1810 pg/g ww), and 76%
of carnivorous fishes (<0.500–69 500 pg/g ww), as
well as a lobster (Panulirus penicillatus; 2.36 pg/g ww) and an octopus (Octopodidae; 2.56 pg/g ww). The dominant
P-CTXs in grazers and piscivorous fishes were P-CTX-2 and -1, respectively.
No significant correlation between P-CTX levels and lipid content
in three target predatory fishes indicated that accumulation of P-CTXs
does not depend on fat content. A weak but significant positive relationship
was observed between δ<sup>15</sup>N and P-CTX-1 levels, but
further investigation is required to confirm its biomagnification
potential