Toxic Neurochemical Discovered in Shellfish of Algarve Region
Revised Article:
Sandra Lage, a researcher at the University of Algarve's Center for Marine Sciences (CCMAR), raised a red flag about potentially dangerous sea snails. Analysis of 25 specimens captured between November 2021 and October 2022 revealed alarming results - a staggering 76% had tetrodotoxin (TTX) levels exceeding the safe limits set by the European Food Safety Agency.
TTX, a nerve toxin, can cause gastrointestinal issues in small doses but could lead to cardiorespiratory arrest or even death, particularly for children and the elderly, in high concentrations. The toxin was found exclusively in the internal organs, such as the intestine, stomach, and bladder, but not in the muscle tissue.
Properly eviscerating the snail before consumption is crucial to prevent health risks. While boiling or freezing the sea snail doesn't eliminate the TTX, careful handling doesn't pose a risk.
Currently, the team at CCMAR is planning to investigate the causes behind TTX contamination in these sea snails, with funding secured for the new study. The research could commence this year.
Here's a breakdown of potential causes and solutions for high TTX levels in sea snails:
Causes of High TTX Levels in Sea Snails
- Diet and Symbiotic Relationships: The snails might accumulate TTX from their diet, consuming bacteria or other organisms that produce the toxin.
- Environmental Factors: Changes in water temperature, salinity, and other environmental conditions could influence TTX production or accumulation in snails.
- Genetic Factors: Some sea snail species or strains may inherently produce more TTX than others.
Potential Solutions
Short-Term Solutions
- Monitoring and Regulation: Regular monitoring can help identify species or areas with high TTX concentrations, informing regulatory measures to prevent human consumption of contaminated snails.
- Public Awareness and Education: Raising awareness among consumers about the risks associated with certain sea snails can reduce the incidence of poisoning.
Long-Term Solutions
- Research into TTX Production and Accumulation: Understanding the mechanisms behind TTX accumulation in sea snails could lead to strategies for reducing toxin levels.
- Sustainable Fishing Practices: Implementing sustainable practices can help maintain healthy marine ecosystems, potentially reducing environmental stressors that might contribute to TTX production.
- Development of Testing Methods: Efficient and cost-effective testing methods can aid in identifying safe species for consumption.
- Cultivation of Low-TTX Sea Snails: Cultivating sea snails under controlled conditions might allow for the selection of strains with lower TTX levels.
- Alternative Seafood Options: Promoting alternatives could help lower the demand for potentially toxic snails.
These strategies aim to address the risks associated with TTX in sea snails while preserving marine ecosystems' sustainability. Stay tuned for updates from the CCMAR team!
- The news about high TTX levels in Portuguese sea snails, as reported by Sandra Lage at the University of Algarve's Center for Marine Sciences (CCMAR), raises concerns about medical-conditions and health-and-wellness risks.
- Current research in environmental-science is focused on understanding the causes behind TTX contamination in sea snails, including diet and symbiotic relationships, environmental factors, and genetic factors.
- To promote health-and-wellness and ensure food-and-drink safety, short-term solutions include monitoring and regulation, public awareness and education, and long-term solutions propose research into TTX production and accumulation, sustainable fishing practices, development of testing methods, cultivation of low-TTX sea snails, and promotion of alternative seafood options.
- As the CCMAR team continues their investigations into TTX contamination and its potential solutions, they hope to contribute to the broader lifestyle movement that values both marine ecosystem sustainability and human health.
