Occurrence of Marine Biotoxins in Bivalve Molluscs Available in Poland in 2014-2018.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Marine biotoxins are toxic substances that may cause illness and death in marine organisms and humans. This article disseminates the results of a 4-year study on the occurrence of marine biotoxins in raw bivalve molluscs purchased from Polish suppliers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 256 samples of 8 different molluscs species were analysed for the presence of biotoxins using the ELISA method for paralytic shellfish poison, diarrhoetic shellfish poison, and amnaesic shellfish poison. RESULTS: The permitted limits of marine biotoxin content were not exceeded in any of the analysed samples and the majority of them were free from these compounds. CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate that the tested raw bivalve molluscs available in Poland were safe for consumers.