Multiple ciguatoxins present in Indian Ocean reef fish

Toxicon. 2002 Sep;40(9):1347-53. doi: 10.1016/s0041-0101(02)00146-0.

Abstract

Optimised gradient reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (LC/MS) methods, in combination with a [3H]-brevetoxin binding assay (RLB), revealed multiple ciguatoxins in a partially purified extract of a highly toxic Lutjanus sebae (red emperor) from the Indian Ocean. Two major ciguatoxins of 1140.6 Da (I-CTX-1 and -2) and two minor ciguatoxins of 1156.6 Da (I-CTX-3 and -4) were identified. Accurate mass analysis revealed that I-CTX-1 and -2 and Caribbean C-CTX-1 had indistinguishable masses (1140.6316 Da, at 0.44 ppm resolution). Toxicity estimated from LC/MS/RLB responses indicated that I-CTX-1 and -2 were both approximately 60% the potency of Pacific ciguatoxin-1 (P-CTX-1). In contrast to ciguatoxins of the Pacific where the more oxidised ciguatoxins are more potent, I-CTX-3 and -4 were approximately 20% of P-CTX-1 potency. Interconversion in dilute acid or on storage, typical of spiroketal and hemiketal functionality found in P-CTXs and C-CTXs, respectively, was not observed to occur between I-CTX-1 and -2. The ratio of CTX-1 and -2 varied depending on the fish extract being analysed. These results suggest that I-CTX-1 and -2 may arise from separate dinoflagellate precursors that may be oxidatively biotransformed to I-CTX-3 and -4 in fish.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Assay
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Ciguatoxins / classification
  • Ciguatoxins / isolation & purification*
  • Ciguatoxins / toxicity
  • Fishes / metabolism*
  • Indian Ocean
  • Marine Toxins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Oxocins / metabolism
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization
  • Tritium

Substances

  • Marine Toxins
  • Oxocins
  • Tritium
  • Ciguatoxins
  • brevetoxin