To understand critical aspects of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) in a chief area of bivalve production in Korea, seasonal variation in PSP toxins in bivalves collected from Jinhae Bay, Korea in 2009 was surveyed by the pre-column high-performance liquid chromatography oxidation method. We also confirmed the profiles of major bivalves such as oysters Crassostrea gigas and mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis in Jinhae Bay. PSP toxins in the bivalves showed remarkable seasonal variation. PSP toxin levels were detected from April to May in 2009, and the highest total toxin levels at all stations were recorded in May. The major toxins in bivalves were gonyautoxin [GTX] 1&4 and C 1&2; in oysters GTX 2&3 were also detected as major components. GTX 1&4, which showed the highest PSP toxin levels at each station, accounted for the highest proportions of toxin components in mussels and oysters (64.5-71.3% and 41.4-42.4%, respectively). It was also confirmed that the highest toxicity (in μg saxitoxin [STX] eq/g) was derived from GTX 1&4. The highest total toxicity (in μg STX eq/g) was approximately 2-8-fold higher in mussels than in oysters collected from the same station. PSP toxin levels in bivalves differed significantly according to the sample collection station. However, the profiles of toxins in the bivalves did not show significant differences during the survey period according to sample collection station. This study shows that PSP toxin levels in some samples from Jinhae Bay were above the regulatory limit in Korea during a specific period in spring.

To compare the accumulation of paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) in different marine organisms, the occurrence and variation of PSP were surveyed in blue mussel Mytilus edulis, oyster Crassostrea gigas, short neck clam Ruditapes philippinarum, bay scallop Argopecten irradians, and warty sea squirt Styela clava collected from Jinhae Bay, Korea, in 2005 and 2006 year. We also investigated the ability of the blue mussel to detoxify PSP by relaying and depuration (via the water flow or water circulation system). In the marine organisms examined, PSP levels were the highest in blue mussel, followed in order by bay scallop, oyster, short neck clam, and warty sea squirt. Comparing the maximum PSP levels in the bivalve species examined in 2005 and 2006, PSP in blue mussel was 1.6-2.0, 4.0-5.9, and 5.1-6.0 times higher than in bay scallop, oyster, and short neck clam, respectively. Therefore, blue mussel could be useful as a bioindicator for PSP monitoring. With the increasing PSP levels in blue mussel in 2006, the proportion of PSP in its digestive gland increased to 95.1% when the maximum level was detected from the whole tissues of blue mussel on May 29. Subsequently, the PSP proportion in the digestive gland decreased as the PSP level in whole tissue decreased. The detoxification of PSP in blue mussel was greatest with relaying, followed by the water flow, and water circulation systems. Relaying decreased the PSP level below the regulatory limit of 80 μg/ 100 g after 2 days in low toxic sample with 124 μg/100 g, and after 7 days in high toxic sample with 401 μg /100 g. During depuration in the blue mussel with 401 μg/100 g via the water flow system, the PSP amounts in the digestive gland decreased by about 50% after 1 day, and about 77% after 7 days. In contrast, the PSP amounts in the soft body, gill, and mantle did not change significantly with depuration.