Characteristics of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins derived from short-necked clams (Tapes japonica) in Mikawa Bay.

A "red tide" bloom of Alexandrium tamarense occurred in Mikawa Bay in April 1991. In association with this, paralytic shellfish poisoning toxin was detected in short-necked clams by mouse bioassay. High performance liquid chromatography analysis demonstrated large quantities of the N-sulfocarbamoyl toxins, C1, and C2 (approximately 90% of the total toxins), whose latent potency was confirmed by treatment with boiling at low pH.