Monthly variations in diarrhetic toxins and yessotoxin in shellfish from coast to the inner part of the Sognefjord, Norway.

Monthly concentrations of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) toxins and yessotoxin (YTX) in mussels from the coast to the inner part of the Sognefjord were determined. Mussels from nine locations were sampled from March to November 1997. The DSP toxins and YTX were analysed by a colorimetric protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) inhibition assay or fluorometric HPLC, respectively. The mouse bioassay for DSP toxins was performed including either chloroform or diethyl ether in the final step of extraction. Using ether in the final step normally facilitated extraction of the DSP toxins, okadaic acid (OA) and dinophysis toxin-1 (DTX-1), while chloroform extraction included a wider spectrum of toxins, including YTX and a fast acting toxin(s) with neurotoxic effects. The concentrations of DSP toxins and YTX in mussels increased with distance from the coast. The highest concentrations of YTX (574 microg YTX/100 g mussel meat) and diarrhetic toxins (349 microg OA equivalents/100 g mussel meat) were measured in May and August, respectively, at locations in the inner part of the fjord. Since concentrations of DSP toxins and YTX in mussels increased with distance from the coast, the locations for mussel farming in the Sognefjord close to the coast, seem to be preferable.