Read the Beforeitsnews.com story here. Advertise at Before It's News here.
Profile image
By Food Safety News (Reporter)
Contributor profile | More stories
Story Views
Now:
Last hour:
Last 24 hours:
Total:

NRC discovers novel seafood toxin that causes ciguatera poisoning

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.


The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) has unearthed a novel seafood toxin responsible for ciguatera poisoning.

The toxin, known as ciguatoxin, is found in large fish such as barracuda, moray eel, snapper and grouper, and can cause tingling and numbness in fingers and toes, nausea, abdominal pain, and even poisoning.

Ciguatera poisoning affects approximately 500,000 people globally each year and stems from algae consumed by these fish. While the toxins were previously known to occur in the Caribbean Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, they have recently been detected in new regions, including the Canary Islands, the eastern Mediterranean Sea and the western Gulf of Mexico. However, the source of ciguatoxins in the Caribbean had remained elusive despite nearly three decades of research.

The breakthrough came this year when NRC scientists, in collaboration with experts from the United States and Norway, embarked on a meticulous search for the Caribbean producer of ciguatoxin. Their efforts involved extensive algal collection and analysis, with a focus on species gathered from waters surrounding the U.S. Virgin Islands. Finally, the NRC researchers successfully identified the novel algal ciguatoxin and demonstrated its metabolism in fish species associated with ciguatera poisoning.

Pearse McCarron, the leader of the NRC’s Biotoxin Metrology Group, hailed the discovery as groundbreaking, stating, “The findings will make it possible to develop methods and standards to help food safety laboratories monitor and manage ciguatera. This will go a long way toward dealing with the problem and, hopefully, preventing illness in humans.”

The NRC’s involvement in the research was part of a broader collaborative effort with the University of South Alabama, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Norwegian Veterinary Institute. The U.S. teams collected algae samples from Caribbean coral reefs and screened them for toxicity, while the NRC conducted chemical profiling and identification to determine the structure of the toxin. Norwegian researchers confirmed the transformation of the algal toxin into the fish toxin through enzyme incubation experiments.

Looking to the future, Pearse emphasized that the NRC would continue collaborative efforts to develop next-generation metrological tools for managing the ciguatoxin issue. They also plan to work with partners to create certified reference materials that testing and research labs in Canada and around the world can use to measure these toxins accurately.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)


Source: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/08/nrc-discovers-novel-seafood-toxin-that-causes-ciguatera-poisoning/


Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world.

Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.

"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.


LION'S MANE PRODUCT


Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules


Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.



Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.


Report abuse

    Comments

    Your Comments
    Question   Razz  Sad   Evil  Exclaim  Smile  Redface  Biggrin  Surprised  Eek   Confused   Cool  LOL   Mad   Twisted  Rolleyes   Wink  Idea  Arrow  Neutral  Cry   Mr. Green

    MOST RECENT
    Load more ...

    SignUp

    Login

    Newsletter

    Email this story
    Email this story

    If you really want to ban this commenter, please write down the reason:

    If you really want to disable all recommended stories, click on OK button. After that, you will be redirect to your options page.