Interdisciplinary Evaluation of Toxicity in Ostreopsis Ovata: Algal Biotoxins

Abstract

An interdisciplinary study was performed to characterize the biotoxins produced by Ostreopsis ovata and their consequences for health and food safety. O. ovata, a benthic dinoflagellate widespread in tropical seas, has recently also colonized several areas of the Italian coast. O. ovata causes respiratory symptoms in exposed humans, and microalgae have the ability to release ostreocina during flowering, which accumulates in many aquatic organisms. The results show a significant correlation between time of death in mice subjected to chemical analysis and quantification of biotoxins performed by mass spectrometry, indicating its validity in detecting the toxicity profile of O. ovata. The potential mutagenicity of toxins detected by genotoxic analysis has yet to be determined.