Passfield Emillie M F, Smith Kirsty F, Harwood D Tim, Fitzgerald Joshua D, Argyle Phoebe A, Thomson-Laing Jacob, Murray J Sam
Cawthron Institute, Private Bag 2, Nelson 7040, New Zealand.
New Zealand Food Safety Science and Research Centre, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
Mar Drugs. 2025 Aug 26;23(9):341. doi: 10.3390/md23090341.
The giant moray eel (GME; ) is an important marine species that plays a key ecological role in reef systems and is a valued food source for indigenous communities. However, it is well-known that GMEs pose a food safety risk due to their ability to accumulate high levels of ciguatoxins (CTXs), the toxins known to cause ciguatera poisoning. This study assessed the age, CTX levels, elemental composition, and nutritional profile of seven GME specimens collected from Muri Lagoon, Rarotonga (Cook Islands), representing the most detailed compositional investigation on this species. Age was determined for the three largest specimens, with the oldest being 39 years old. All specimens contained ciguatoxins, with Type I (CTX4A derivatives), Type II (CTX3C derivatives), algal-ciguatoxins, and biotransformed metabolites being detected. There was a higher CTX content in the liver samples compared to flesh samples, with the longest-heaviest specimen containing the highest levels. The CTX1B level observed in flesh samples of all seven eel specimens exceeded the recommended safe guidance level proposed by the USFDA. A similar ciguatoxin profile was observed across flesh sections, with the belly flap or top loin containing the highest levels of CTXs in most specimens. No bioactive metabolites produced by co-occurring harmful microalgae, including regulated shellfish toxins, were detected. Elemental analysis determined the presence of 21 elements, including arsenic, low levels of mercury, and the volcanic elements rubidium and strontium. Nutritionally, the GMEs were shown to be a lean protein source; however, due to the ubiquitous bioaccumulation of CTXs, they pose a food safety risk to consumers.
巨型海鳝（GME）是一种重要的海洋物种，在珊瑚礁系统中发挥着关键的生态作用，也是当地社区珍贵的食物来源。然而，众所周知，由于巨型海鳝能够积累高水平的雪卡毒素（CTXs），即已知会导致雪卡中毒的毒素，因此它们会带来食品安全风险。本研究评估了从拉罗汤加岛穆里泻湖（库克群岛）采集的7个巨型海鳝样本的年龄、CTX水平、元素组成和营养成分，这是对该物种最详细的成分调查。确定了三个最大样本的年龄，其中最年长的为39岁。所有样本都含有雪卡毒素，检测到了I型（CTX4A衍生物）、II型（CTX3C衍生物）、藻类雪卡毒素和生物转化代谢物。肝脏样本中的CTX含量高于鱼肉样本，最长最重的样本含量最高。在所有七个海鳝样本的鱼肉样本中观察到的CTX1B水平超过了美国食品药品监督管理局建议的安全指导水平。在不同的鱼肉切片中观察到了相似的雪卡毒素分布，在大多数样本中，腹部皮瓣或上腰部的CTX含量最高。未检测到共生有害微藻产生的生物活性代谢物，包括受监管的贝类毒素。元素分析确定了21种元素的存在，包括砷、低水平的汞以及火山元素铷和锶。在营养方面，巨型海鳝被证明是一种低脂肪蛋白质来源；然而，由于CTX普遍存在生物累积现象，它们对消费者构成食品安全风险。
