Validation of Ultra High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC) with Pre-column Derivatization Method for Quantitative Analysis of Histamine in Fish and Fishery Products

A pre-column derivatization-ultra high performance liquid chromatographic (UHPLC) method is described for the determination of histamine in fish and fishery products. The homogenized samples were extracted with trichloroacetic acid (TCA) solution and derivatized with o-phthaldialdehyde. Histamine was separated using reversed-phase column and determined using UHPLC with fluorescence detection. The linear calibration range was 10 to 60 µg/mL with a correlation coefficient of 0.9993. Good recoveries were observed for the histamine under investigation at all spiking levels, and average recoveries were higher than 89% with a precision smaller than 8.46%. The detection and quantification limit were 2.7 and 8.3 µg/g, respectively. The uncertainty was estimated to be ± 0.45. The performance of the proposed method was checked with a proficiency test sample from the Food Analysis Performance Assessment Scheme (FAPAS) as external quality control; the resulting z-score was -0.2, which was found within acceptable range of -2 ≤ z ≤ 2. The results indicated that this HPLC method was reliable, sensitive, reproducible, and practical for the routine analysis of histamine in fish and fishery products

Ciguatera in the Philippines: Examining Reef Fish Vectors and Its Causative Benthic Dinoflagellates in Visayan and Sibuyan Seas

Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (CFP) is primarily caused by ingesting reef fishes contaminated with ciguatoxins (CTX) produced by the Gambierdiscus species. The unpredictability of this type of food poisoning poses risks to public health and adversely affecting the fish trade industry. This study aimed to provide useful information on ciguatera in the Philippines. Different reef fish species and host-macroalgae for benthic dinoflagellates were collected in Visayan and Sibuyan Seas. Ciguatoxins were extracted from reef fish samples, and toxicity was determined qualitatively using mouse bioassay. Meanwhile, cell density estimation of toxic benthic dinoflagellates isolated from the host-macroalgae was done through microscopy. It was observed that 4.46% of the total reef fish samples were positive with ciguatoxins. Spatially, Carles, Iloilo in Visayan sea had the highest number of toxic specimens belonging to Epinephelus merra, Lethrinus lentjan, Lutjanus campechanus, Scarus quoyi, Siganus guttatus, and Sphyraena barracuda. Based on data gathered from three sampling sites, fish toxin occurrence is observed to be site-specific. Geographical conditions affect the frequency of toxic samples. Moreover, fish weight is not a good predictor of fish toxicity. For toxic benthic dinoflagellates, Gambierdiscus spp. were observed to have the lowest cell density count among other dinoflagellates averaging 7-115 cells per 100 g macroalgae. On the other hand, Ostreopsis spp. had the highest average cell density of 118-1,455 cells per 100 g macroalgae, followed by Prorocentrum spp. (207-594 cells per 100 g macroalgae). Fish toxicity is directly proportional to the occurrence of benthic dinoflagellates in areas as seen during dry season. Monitoring and management of CFP on identified reef fish vectors and its causative benthic dinoflagellates in the area are necessary to promote food safety and fair trade practice

Estimation of Nutrient Load from Aquaculture Farms in Manila Bay, Philippines

Waste from aquaculture is considered as one of the possible causes of water quality deterioration in Manila Bay. Aquaculture in the area accounts for almost 30% of the total production in the Philippines. This high production entails intensified application of inputs that could possibly contribute to the nutrient (nitrogen, N and phosphorus, P) load in the bay. Thus, estimation of the N, P and SO4 loaded from aquaculture farms is necessary to develop more responsive intervention to reduce nutrient load in Manila Bay. Water samples were collected throughout the rearing period from different aquaculture systems in Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, and Bataan. The annual estimated N and P loaded from aquaculture farms were 12, 696.66 MT and 2, 363.01 MT, respectively. Fish pens/cages recorded the highest contribution accounting for 88% N and 86% P of the total load. It can be attributed to the direct release of uneaten feeds into the bodies of water. Roughly, 12% N and 14% P were obtained from the fishponds. Furthermore, the annual SO4 loaded from fishponds was estimated at 36,917.54 MT. Results of the study suggested that there should be an extensive monitoring of the environmental impacts and annual load of aquaculture farms for the sustainable regulations and management of aquaculture activities to reduce nutrient load and improve the aquaculture production as well. Finally, strict compliance to the regulatory guidelines and ordinances must be imposed to achieve the effluent quality standards

Estimation of Post-Harvest Losses of Fish Transported Using Ice-chilled Carrier Boats from High Seas Pocket 1

Access of Philippine traditional fresh/ice-chilled seining vessels to High Seas Pocket 1 (HSP-1) lessens fishing pressures in the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone where juvenile oceanic tunas are more likely to be found. However, catch landed by carrier boats from HSP-1 were observed to be of reduced quality, thus eliciting lower market value. The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of icechilled carrier boats by generating data on the magnitude of post-harvest losses incurred in landed catch from HSP-1. Exploratory Fish Loss Assessment Method and Questionnaire Loss Assessment Method were used to estimate quality losses. Landed catch of ice-chilled carrier boats from HSP-1 recorded an estimated loss of 17.25%. Key players incurred an estimated financial loss amounting to PHP 223 million (USD 4.3 million). Low quality catch commonly sold as raw materials for canning, smoking, and fishmeal processing entail cheaper prices, thus regarded as losses. A positive correlation was established between fishing duration and losses. Results indicate that the current preservation technique in carrier boats could induce quality deterioration in fish given the long distances and transit times involved. Thus, the use of carrier boats with freezing system should be allowed in HSP-1 to sufficiently preserve the quality of the catch. This will reduce losses in post-harvest fisheries, thereby increasing the potential income of HSP-1 players

Paralytic shellfish poisoning toxin accumulation in shellfishes collected from various habitats in Murcielagos Bay, Philippines during harmful algal blooms occurrence

This study aims to determine whether the habitat of bivalves plays an influence in the occurrence of tropical shellfish toxicity during toxic red tide bloom occurrences in Murcielagos Bay, Misamis Occidental, Philippines. Various shellfish species were collected during the occurrence of red tide blooms. The type of habitat and the shellfish toxicities were investigated. Likewise, the phytoplankton profile in the seawater column was assessed. Results of our study revealed that the occurrence of shellfish toxicities was habitat specific in spite of the fact that the causative organism Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum was present in low concentrations in the sampling sites. Shellfish collected from sea grass, coralline area, and seafloor habitats were notably susceptible against the paralytic shellfish poisoning toxin contamination compared to those samples obtained from soil substrate. Continuous monitoring of areas that are affected with shellfish toxicity must be conducted so as to safeguard the general public\u27s welfare dependent on these resources. © 2014 AENSI Publisher All rights reserved

Vulnerability of tropical shellfishes against PSP contamination during bloom of Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum

Accumulation of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins in representative shellfish samples of epifaunal, partially exposed benthic and infaunal nature in association with the toxic dinoflagellate, Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum was investigated. Shellfish and seawater samples were collected during the last quarter of 2007 and in 2008 in Sorsogon Bay, Philippines. All tissue samples were then analyzed for PSP toxins while cell density of P. bahamense var. compressum was determined in water samples. Results showed that epifaunal, partially-exposed benthic, and infaunal shellfish have remarkable differences in terms of PSP toxin accumulation. Epifaunal shellfish can accumulate PSP toxin of more than a thousand times compared to infaunal shellfish with the latter negative for PSP toxin during P. bahamense var. compressum bloom.Proceedings of the Horiba International Conference "New Direction of Ocean Research in the Western Pacific" : Past, Present and Future of UNESCO/IOC/WESTPAC Activity for 50 years and the JSPS Project "Coastal Marine Science"Section I: Research Articles/Harmful microalga

Vulnerability of tropical shellfishes against PSP contamination during bloom of Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum

Accumulation of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins in representative shellfish samples of epifaunal, partially exposed benthic and infaunal nature in association with the toxic dinoflagellate, Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum was investigated. Shellfish and seawater samples were collected during the last quarter of 2007 and in 2008 in Sorsogon Bay, Philippines. All tissue samples were then analyzed for PSP toxins while cell density of P. bahamense var. compressum was determined in water samples. Results showed that epifaunal, partially-exposed benthic, and infaunal shellfish have remarkable differences in terms of PSP toxin accumulation. Epifaunal shellfish can accumulate PSP toxin of more than a thousand times compared to infaunal shellfish with the latter negative for PSP toxin during P. bahamense var. compressum bloom.Proceedings of the Horiba International Conference "New Direction of Ocean Research in the Western Pacific" : Past, Present and Future of UNESCO/IOC/WESTPAC Activity for 50 years and the JSPS Project "Coastal Marine Science"Section I: Research Articles/Harmful microalga

Vulnerability of tropical shellfishes against PSP contamination during bloom of Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum

Accumulation of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins in representative shellfish samples of epifaunal, partially exposed benthic and infaunal nature in association with the toxic dinoflagellate, Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum was investigated. Shellfish and seawater samples were collected during the last quarter of 2007 and in 2008 in Sorsogon Bay, Philippines. All tissue samples were then analyzed for PSP toxins while cell density of P. bahamense var. compressum was determined in water samples. Results showed that epifaunal, partially-exposed benthic, and infaunal shellfish have remarkable differences in terms of PSP toxin accumulation. Epifaunal shellfish can accumulate PSP toxin of more than a thousand times compared to infaunal shellfish with the latter negative for PSP toxin during P. bahamense var. compressum bloom.Proceedings of the Horiba International Conference "New Direction of Ocean Research in the Western Pacific" : Past, Present and Future of UNESCO/IOC/WESTPAC Activity for 50 years and the JSPS Project "Coastal Marine Science"Section I: Research Articles/Harmful microalga