This volume focuses on the pharmacology, physiology, toxicology, chemistry, ecology and economics of seafood and freshwater toxins. It covers the biological aspects of the bloom, the effects and actions of each toxin with emphasis on human aspects, and the analytical and preparative options for neurotoxic, diarrhetic shellfish toxins, and hepatotox

In Climate Change and Marine and Freshwater Toxins the editors have assembled contributions from a team of international experts to expand the framework for an appropriate assessment of climate change impacts on aquatic toxins. While the production of toxins by microalgae has been known for decades, establishing a factual link supported by scientific evidence is a very complex endeavor. The increasing frequency and distribution of toxic blooms for example continue to raise serious concerns regarding seafood and drinking water safety. This book compiles current evidence on the influence of climate change on the spreading of toxin producing species in aquatic systems. The chemistry and biology of toxin production is revised and an outlook on control and prevention of the toxin's impact on human and animal health is given. • Compelling quantitative evidence of complex interactions from primary toxin producers and along the food chain. • Latest advances on prediction and prevention of water toxin threats to human and animal health. • A must read for insights into aquatic toxins and their modification by climatic conditions. About the Editors Luis M. Botana Is a full Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Santiago, from 2004-2012 director of the Department of Pharmacology and former Fogarty Fellow at the School of Medicine of the Johns Hopkins University. He has been director of the European Reference Laboratory for Marine Toxins from 2004 to 2009. He is author of 25 international patents, over 300 scientific papers and editor of 10 international books. M. Carmen Louzao Is a Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Santiago de Compostela since 1997. She was a postdoctoral fellow in the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) from 1994 to 1995. She is author of over 70 scientific publications in the field of Toxicology, Biochemistry, and Immunology and 20 reviews and book chapters. Natalia Vilariño Currently teaches Pharmacology to Veterinary Medicine students and participates actively in the research activities of the Department of Pharmacology, University of Santiago de Compostela, since 2005. She was a postdoctoral fellow at the Johns Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Center for 4 years. She is author of over 50 scientific papers in the fields of Toxicology, Analytical Chemistry and Immunology.

The last few years have brought about many changes in the field of marine and freshwater toxins, with advances in analytical technology and the realization that these toxins are a global issue. Offering a complete reference guide, Seafood and Freshwater Toxins: Pharmacology, Physiology, and Detection, Third Edition addresses all aspects of the social and scientific influence of phytotoxins, from legislation and monitoring to new drug development. Covering many new topics, the book examines three main aspects: monitoring of toxins; chemical, mechanistic, and toxicological diversity; and detection technologies. New to this edition: 35 new chapters and 5 updated chapters A focus on state-of-the-art methodology Coverage of new technologies to cultivate algae and to identify, isolate, and quantify toxins Regulatory changes Climate change evidence Expanded information on toxicology Part I of the book includes an overview and reviews general issues related to toxin detection, ecology, and diversity, and effects of climate change. Part II covers impacts of toxins regarding epidemiology, toxicology, economics, and surveillance. Part III explores available detection technologies, such as functional assays, biosensors, mass spectrometry, nanotechnology, and more. In addition, standard reference materials for toxins are discussed. Parts IV to VI provide detailed descriptions of toxin chemical diversity, biological sources, and modes of action. Part VII addresses the use of toxins as starting points for therapeutic drugs for cancer, neurological disorders, and for novel antibiotics.

Some taxonomic and biologic aspects of toxic dinoflagellates / Karen A. Steidinger -- Methods of analysis for algal toxins: dinoflagellate and diatom toxins / John J. Sullivan -- Mode of action of toxins of seafood poisoning / Daniel G. Baden, Vera L. Trainer -- Paralytic shellfish poisoning / C.Y. Kao -- Diarrhetic shellfish poisoning / Tore Aune, Magne Yndestad -- Ciguatera fish poisoning / Raymond Bagnis -- Control measures in shellfish and finfish industries in the USA / James Hungerford, Marleen Wekell -- Seafood toxins of algal origin and their control in Canada / A.D. Cembella, E. Todd -- Taxonomy of toxic cyanophyceae (Cyanobacteria) / Olav M. Skulberg [and others] -- Measurement of toxins from blue-green algae in water and foodstuffs / Ian R. Falconer -- Mechanism of toxicity of cyclic peptide toxins from blue-green algae / Ian R. Falconer -- Diseases related to freshwater blue-green algal toxins and control measures / Wayne W. Carmichael, Ian R. Falconer.

The occurrence of marine and freshwater toxins is a rapidly evolving problem due to ever-changing circumstances. Expanding international commerce is forcing cargo ships into virgin territory, deforestation and pollution violate the natural ecological balance, and a changing climate holds unknown potential to alter current factors and trigger toxic blooms in new forms, at new rates, and in new places. Fortunately, with notable advances in analysis technology, the body of knowledge in the field is equally dynamic. In just six years since the first edition, toxins that warranted only line listings, including pfiestra, gambierol, and polycavernoside, are now worthy of entire chapters, requiring a new edition to encompass the expanding scope of the field. Emphasizes Human Response to New Toxins Gathering contributions from international experts, Seafood and Freshwater Toxins: Pharmacology, Physiology, and Detection, Second Edition provides an overview of the current state-of-knowledge from several perspectives. Incorporating toxicology, chemistry, ecology, and economics, the book covers the biological aspects of the bloom and the effects and actions of each toxin with emphasis on human response. This edition includes more information on detection and analysis, toxicological information on previously little known toxins, and food safety issues. Incorporating Pharmacological, Legal, and Economic Aspects, this book— Begins with general information on risk assessment and analytical techniques Cover several categories of toxins by function and biomechanism Considers potential pharmacological applications and the use of toxins as precursors to therapeutic drugs Highlights the legal and economic perspectives of toxic incidence in industrial activity and international regulation and monitoring programs Describes new toxins by their individual chemical structure, ecobiology, metabolism, detection methods, determination, pharmacology, and toxicology

The emergence of marine and freshwater toxins in geographical areas where they have never been reported before is a concern due to the considerable impact on (sea)food contamination, and consequently, on public health. Several groups of marine biotoxins, in particular tetrodotoxins, ciguatoxins, and palytoxins, are included among the relevant marine biotoxins that have recently emerged in several coastal areas. A similar situation has been observed in freshwater, where cyanobacterial toxins, such as microcystins, could end up in unexpected areas such as the estuaries where shellfish are cultivated. Climate change and the increased availability of nutrients have been considered as the key factors in the expansion of all of these toxins into new areas; however, this could also be due to more intense biological invasions, more sensitive analytical methods, or perhaps even an increased scientific interest in these natural contaminations. The incidences of human intoxications due to the consumption of seafood contaminated with these toxins have made their study an important task to accomplish in order to protect human health. This Special Issue has a focus on a wide variety of emerging biotoxin classes and techniques to identify and quantify them.