The Evaluation of paralytic shellfish poisoning of fresh green mussels (Perna viridis) affected by the Lampung Coast red tide phenomenon

The Lampung Coast red tide phenomenon caused not only ecological disaster but also financial loss. This was the second case reported from Lampung. Toxin residues have been found in shellfish as planktonic feeder organisms, particularly in green mussel (Perna viridis) meat. The goals of this study were to find saxitoxin (STX) residues in green mussel from various locations along the Lampung Coast that exposed to red tide (Ringgung and Mutun beaches) and from unexposed locations (Klara and Kota Agung beaches). The bioassay method was used to detect saxitoxin (paralytic shellfish poisoning). To compare the abnormalities in both samples, morphological and proximate examinations were also performed. This study found that green mussels from the red tide locations caused diarrhea and death in mice, despite no differences in both samples from morphologic and proximate analyses.