RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LIPOPHILIC TOXINS LEVELS AND ABUNDANCE OF POSSIBLE CAUSATIVE PHYTOPLANKTON SPECIES IN BUTRINTI LAGOON

The aim of the current study was to analyze the relationship between lipophilic toxins levels and abundance of possible causative phytoplankton species in Butrinti Lagoon during 2007-2009. The consumption of shellfish that have filtered cells of the dinoflagellate genus Dinophysis have led to cases of intestinal upset. Two varieties appear responsible for DSP: Dinophysis acuta and D. acuminata. Diarrhea was the most commonly reported symptom (92%), closely followed by nausea (80%) and vomiting (79%), with onset 30 minutes to 12 hours from ingestion. Complete clinical recovery is seen even in severe cases within 3 days. The toxins are fat soluble, have high molecular weights, and belong to a class of compounds called polycyclic ethers. Samples were collected in Butrinti Lagoon, known for the aquaculture activity (cultivation of the blue mussel, Mytilus galloprovicialis) and fishing. About 346 samples of M. galloprovincialis were analyzed with mouse bioassay. Only 31 samples from 346 shown positive results for the presence of lipophilic toxins that cause DSP with higher concentration of limit sets in EC Regulation No. 853/2004. The presence of different dinoflagellates, that are known to produce lipophilic toxins, was observed in the samples during that period, like Gonyaulax spinifera, Dinophysis sacculus, Dinophysis acuminata.