QUANTIFICATION OF PARALYZING TOXINS (PSP) BY FLUORIMETRY IN EXCITABLE CELLS

摘要

Quantification of paralyzing toxins (PSP) by fluorimetry in excitable cells to detect and quantify paralyzing toxins (paralytic shellfish poison, PSP) in an extract of contaminated molluscan shellfish that is based on the pharmacological action mechanism of toxins and comprises three stages during which fluorescence is continuously registered: 1) adding the fluorescent indicator with a bix-oxonol potential to an excitable cell suspension; 2) depolarization of the cells with toxin veratridine; 3) inhibiting the dose depending on depolarization by PSP toxins. Inhibition is evaluated depending on variations of membrane potential shown as changes in fluorescence. This fast, specific and sensitive technique is of special economic-sanitary interest for samples of extracts of bivalve molluscan shellfish contaminated during red tides.