Detection of tetrodotoxin-like compounds in two species of puffer fishes (Lagocephalus lunaris lunaris and Fugu niphobles).

The toxins in the muscle, skin and liver of the puffer fish Lagocephalus lunaris lunaris and those in the skin and liver of another puffer fish Fugu niphobles were purified by successive column chromatography on activated charcoal, Bio-Gel P-2 and Bio-Rex 70 and analyzed by electrophoresis and thin layer chromatography. Although, regardless of the tissues and species, tetrodotoxin was predominant and accounted for more than 90% of the total toxins, the following minor toxins were newly detected; toxin A and toxin B in L. lunaris lunaris and toxin C in F. niphobles. Since these minor toxins, like tetrodotoxin, were positive to the Weber reagent and 10% KOH, but negative to 1% H2O2, they were assumed to be tetrodotoxin-like compounds. Interestingly, the electrophoretic and thin layer chromatographic analyses showed that toxin A and toxin C are probably identical with AFT3 and AFT1, the minor toxins in the crab Atergatis floridus from Chiba, Japan, respectively.