• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2015

VHSV is a major viral agent that affects freshwater and marine fish, causing serious economic losses in aquaculture in the world. Due to their filter-feeding activity, bivalve mollusks may act as viral transmitters after accumulation of the fish viruses released into seawater from infected fish. Amplification by RT-PCR was carried out to investigate the presence of VHSV in pacific oysters (Crassotrea gigas) and blue mussels (Mytilus edulis), inhabiting regions around aquatic farms in Korea. Primers designed from conserved regions of VHSVs allowed us to detect four different types of VHSV in a single PCR. Twenty two of the eighty four samples showed positive results of VHSV in a 2-step RT-PCR. Using six positive samples from three different regions in Korea, we cloned and sequenced the glycoprotein (G) gene (467-bp long) of VHSVs. Genetic analysis of the VHSVs detected in shellfish in various geographical areas of Korea showed highly restricted results to VHSV type Iva. This was in agreement with the reports showing only a single genotype of VHSV (Iva genotype) in outbreaks in cultured or wild fish in Korea. Consequently, we investigated VHSVs carried by bivalve mollusks inhabiting the vicinity of aquatic farms, and revealed correlationship between the type of viral accumulated in shellfish by filter-feeding, and those detected in disease outbreaks in fish.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.546-549
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• 2000

For the establishment of biodetoxification method which can be acceptable for live bivalves, paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) detoxification bacteria were isolated from sea water and bivalves, and PSP detoxification activity and optimal growth condition of the isolated strains were investigated. from the bivalve and sea water samples, 8 strains of PSP detoxification bacteria were isolated. Of the isolated strains, CW-6 isolated from sea water shown strong PSP detoxification activity and decomposed completely 18 nmole/g of GTX2 after 3 days incubation in artificial medium. The selected stain CW-6 shown typical characteristics of the Enterobacter sp. and identified as Enterobacter sp, CW-6. Optimal growth condition of the Enterobacter sp. CW-6 were $35^{\circ}C$, pH 7 and $NaCl 1{\%}$, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.119-126
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• 2021

In this study, the variability in paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) by the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella (Group I) was analyzed under a variety of water temperatures and salinities. This dinoflagellate experienced optimum growth at temperatures and salinities of 20~30℃ and 20~30 psu, respectively. These findings indicate that A. catenella is an eurythermal and euryhaline organism. High toxin contents and toxicities were observed at low temperatures (10 and 15℃), where they were associated with low growth rates; salinity did not have any significant impact on toxicity parameters. Therefore, it is likely that A. catenaella contributes to the rapid intoxication of commercial bivalve when temperatures are ≤15℃. To better estimate PSP caused by A. catenalla, we suggest that the influence of various environmental factors controlling PSP should persist with other A. catenella stains and commercial bivalves.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.487-493
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• 2017

Recent years have seen steadily increasing concerns about human exposure to heavy metals through seafood consumption. In Korea, the diverse dietary patterns of different bivalve shellfish necessitate tissue-specific evaluation of heavy metal contents for risk assessment. We analyzed the heavy metal contents of various tissues in scallops (Patinopecten yessoensis) and pen shells (Atrina pectinate). In both species, we found higher levels of cadmium (Cd) in the mantle than in the adductive muscle, while there was no significant difference between the two tissue types in total mercury (THg) and lead (Pb) (P<0.05). Levels of THg and Pb were acceptable by Korean standards. However, the level of Cd in pen shell mantle tissue exceeded the standard by 40%. The rate of heavy metal exposure from consumption of these species was shown to be 0.003-0.010% of the provisional tolerable weekly intake of THg and 0.312-0.600% of the provisional tolerable monthly intake (PTWI) of Cd as recommended by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. These findings on the tissue-specific heavy metal contents of these species will be useful in assessing the health risks of Korean dietary habits.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.521-534
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• 2020

Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) occurs when saxitoxin (STX), which is produced by harmful algae (dinoflagellates) and then accumulated in bivalve shellfish by filter-feeding, is consumed by humans. With recent advances in analysis technology, it has been reported that dinoflagellates also produce a variety of analogues such as the gonyautoxin (GTX) group and the N-sulfo-carbamoyl toxin (C toxin) group, in addition to STX. Accordingly, CODEX and the EFSA are stepping forward to manage STX and analogues as STX groups requiring safety management. In Korea, the occurrence of dinoflagellates producing STX analogues has already been reported, and contamination of analogues (GTX group, C toxin group) in live mussels has also been reported. In this study, in order to provide the basis for systematic monitoring and safety management of STX and analogues, their physicochemical characteristics, occurrence of dinoflagellates, toxicity and toxic equivalency factor, analytical method and occurrence were widely reviewed. This review is expected to contribute to strengthening the safety management of STX and its analogues.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.402-411
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• 2008

Grazing effects of two freshwater shellfish, Unio douglasiae (UNIO) and Cipangoplaudina chinese malleata (CCM), on the hibernal diatom communities in eutrophic water was examined in a laboratory. Two animals having different feeding types used in the study were collected from Keum River (Boryeong, Korea), acclimatized in the artificial management system in a laboratory over at least one month, and starved in a laboratory for 2 days before the experiment. Experimental waters, which dominated by Synedra ulna-Scenedesmus sp. (ca. 80%), was collected from eutrophic lake, Lake Ilgam (Seoul) in Feb., 19, 2008 at AM 10:00, and used in the study after the filtration with 1 mm Nylon mesh. Feeding experiments were largely divided into three kinds of animal treatments; five densities of UNIO (U0, U1, U2, U3, U4) and CCM (C0, C1, C2, C3, C4), and four combined densities of two shellfish (M0, M1, M2, M3). U0 and C0 were control (no addition of UNIO or CCM), U1 or C1 (each animal density at 0.5 ind. $L^{-1}$), U2 or C2 (1.0 ind. $L^{-1}$), U3 or C3 (1.5 ind. $L^{-1}$), and U4 or C4 (2.0 ind. $L^{-1}$), respectively. Four combined treatments were consisted of M0 (no animals), M1 (U1+C3), M2 (U2+C2), and M3 (U4+C1), respectively. Under the presence of animal, the concentration of Chl-a and algal abundance were clearly decreased with the increase of UNIO density and the treated time, while in combined group a strong decrease of algal density showed with the increase of UNIO density. Total phytoplankton density shifted as the similar patterns to that of Chl-a concentration (r=0.6527, p<0.0001), however, there showed the differences following a species. There were strong decreases of dominant species Synedra ulna, Scenedesmus sp., Ankistrodesmus falcatus in UNIO treatment group, Diatoma vulgare in combined group, while Cryptomonas ovata in high density of CCM increased about 20% in algal density. Grazing rates (GRs) based on the concentration of Chl-a was depend on the kind of shellfish and treatment time; a strong feeding of CCM showed in the initial stage, and four hours later, UNIO and combined group with high UNIO density showed the high GRs. Interestingly, faeces production of shellfish was highest in combined group with high density of CCM, while their size over 60 ${\mu}m$ was much higher in production magnitude than that less 60 ${\mu}m$. Collectively, these results suggest that two domestic shellfish and its combined treatment have a strong potential as an effective biological controller of diatom bloom in cold eutrophic waters.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.235-240
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• 2015

Seasonal variation in the prevalence of norovirus in oysters Crassostrea gigas was investigated and compared to levels of Escherichia coli, a fecal indicator in oysters. Oysters were collected from Iwon-myeon, Taean-gun, Korea, a primary production area for European Union export of oysters between 2013 and 2014. We observed seasonality in the prevalence of norovirus in oysters, with a higher prevalence and viral load detected during winter months. Oysters taken from production areas that complied with the European Union standard for raw consumption (< 230 MPN/100 g of E. coli) had 22.1% of the samples test positive for norovirus (15/68 samples). However, norovirus was not detected in any of the samples (0%, 0/4 samples) that were collected from production sites that exceeded the standard fecal contamination level for raw consumption (> 230 MPN/100 g of E. coli). These results indicated that there is a negative correlation between the prevalence of norovirus and high levels of E. coli in oysters. Therefore, our results suggest that current food safety guidelines using only a bacterial fecal contamination indicator, E. coli, may not adequately assess shellfish production areas for viral and bacterial contamination.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.465-471
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• 2012

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 $80{\mu}g$/100 g after 2 days in low toxic sample with $124{\mu}g$/100 g, and after 7 days in high toxic sample with $401{\mu}g$/100 g. During depuration in the blue mussel with $401{\mu}g$/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.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.866-873
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• 2022

Growth rate and production of the paralytic shellfish poisoning toxin (PST) of a toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium pacificum (LIMS-PS-2611) isolated from the southern sea of Korea, were examined under various temperatures and salinity conditions. The maximum growth rate (0.28 day^-1) was observed under 25℃ and 30 psu. Optimal growth (≥ 70% of maximum growth rate) was obtained between 20~25℃ and 25~35 psu. Among the PSTs of A. pacificum, the principal toxins were C1+2 and GTX5 in N-sulfocarbamoyl toxin group, and minor components were characterized as neoSTXs in the carbamate toxin group. Maximum toxin content was observed under 20℃ and 30 psu, and the toxin content increased with the increase of salinity. Low toxin contents were measured under the temperature and salinity conditions of the maximum growth rate. Therefore, the PSP of bivalve, which occurs at a temperature range of 20-25℃ in June, might have been derived from A. pacificum.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.288-291
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• 1988

We have veen already reported the distribution of PSP of bivalve mollusca in southern coast of Korea and also analyzed their characteristics. The purpose of this study was to develop detoxification method for PSP infested sea mussel, Mytilus edulis, by rearing methods or processing treatments. There was no significant detoxification effect when the PSP infested sea mussel was reared in a tank with water recirculation system, but the toxicity of sea mussel rapidly decreased during the rearing time in a water flow system with filtered water. The detoxification rate of PSP during the rearing for 5 days in a water flow system tank with $15-17^{\circ}C$ of sea water was $94\%$ in case of high toxic sample with more than $2,600{\mu}g/100g$ and about $40\%$ in case of low toxic sample with less than $100{\mu}g/100g$. The toxicity of PSP extracted from the sample with 0.1N/ HCl solution was about 2-5 times higher than that extracted with distilled water. When sea mussel contained $100-150{\mu}g-PSP$ per 100g of edible meat was boiled for 30 min with tap water, the toxicity was destroyed as the level of PSP undetected by mouse assay. We can suggest that boiling of sea mussel with tap water was one of the most significant detoxification methods, but it was not enough to be safe in case of extremely high intoxicated sea mussel with PSP. For example, the digestive gland of sea mussel contained more than $9593{\mu}g/100g$ was heated in a can with tap water at $116^{\circ}C$ for 65 min. the residual PSP was more than $170{\mu}g$.