Uptake and Depuration of HAB toxin by the Southeast Asian Green-Lipped Mussel (Perna viridis)

South China Sea is known as one of the world’s hotspots for Harmful Algal Bloom occurrences. More information is needed regarding the dynamics and kinetics of HAB toxins in the region, particularly Paralytic Shellfish... [ view full abstract ]

South China Sea is known as one of the world’s hotspots for Harmful Algal Bloom occurrences. More information is needed regarding the dynamics and kinetics of HAB toxins in the region, particularly Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning toxin in the bivalves found here. This study focused on the uptake and depuration of the Southeast Asian green-lipped mussel Perna viridis fed with the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum. Perna viridis is one of the shellfish being mass produced from aquaculture in the Philippines. It is an alternative source of income for fisher folks especially when fish production is low. Three set-ups were used for this experiment. The first set-up was filled with shellfish fed with toxic phytoplankton.  The second and third set-ups contain shellfish only and toxic phytoplankton only and served as controlled.  This study investigated the ability of these mussels to take and eliminate toxin in its system through time.  Mussels were dissected into different parts with the division as follows: (1) Gills + Mantle + Gonads (2). Foot + Adductor Muscle (3) Digestive gland. The variability in uptake and depuration patterns among treatments was assessed.