Saxitoxin in Alaskan commercial crab species.

ABSTRACT: Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) is a pervasive human health concern associated with subsistence, recreationally and commercially harvested Alaskan shellfish. PSP is caused by saxitoxins (STX), a family of structurally similar neurotoxins produced by the marine microalgae Alexandrium catenella (formerly A. fundyense). These toxins accumulate in filter-feeding shellfish such as clams, mussels and oysters. While PSP is commonly associated with consuming bivalves, toxic STX levels can also be found in crab viscera (crab butter). The first cases of PSP from consuming Dungeness crab viscera (Metacarcinus magister) were reported in 1992. Although this incident and others did not involve commercially harvested crab, they did impact management of the Dungeness crab fishery in Alaska. Current re

SUBMITTER: Tester PA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12407428 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature