• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.422-428
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• 2024

The detection of high levels of cyclic imine (CI) toxins, noted for their neurotoxic effects, in imported shellfish products represents a significant public health concern for South Korea. In this study, we investigated the levels of CI contamination in these imported products. Specifically, we focused on spirolides (SPX-C), pinnatoxin (PnTX), and gymnodimine-A (gym-A), utilizing advanced LC/MS/MS analytical techniques. Samples collected from a range of imported shellfish revealed substantial contamination, with SPX-C being detected at 227.84 ppt in New Zealand mussels, PnTX-G at 80.42 ppt in Chilean mussels, and GYM-A at 118.79 ppt in New Zealand mussels. These findings are particularly alarming, given that the concentrations of CIs in shellfish from certain countries often exceed those found in South Korean products, posing a potentially significant risk to public health when these contaminated products are imported. On the basis of our findings, we advocate the urgent implementation of stringent regulatory measures to control and mitigate the health hazards associated with these toxins in shellfish products. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of ongoing monitoring and continuous research to gain a better understanding of these risks and to develop effective strategies for their management, which will thereby contribute to protecting consumer health in the context of increasing global seafood trade.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.456-462
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• 2024

Azaspiracids (AZAs) are a group of shellfish toxins that cause azaspiracid shellfish poisoning (AZP). They have been detected in mussels (Mytilus edulis) and oysters (Crassostrea gigas) in the Netherlands, Ireland, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom. In this study, we aimed to develop a method for the simultaneous detection of AZAs using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Simultaneous analyses of AZA-1, AZA-2, AZA-3, AZA-4, and AZA-5 were conducted according to AOAC ISO 17025 guidelines. Between 2020 and 2023, 467 imported shellfish were purchased from retail and wholesale markets in Korea. However, none of the samples tested positive for AZA-1, AZA-3, AZA-4, or AZA-5. Only two Arca avellana imported from Russia were positive for AZA-2 above the limit of detection (LOD) but below the limit of quantification (LOQ), with concentrations of 0.68 and 0.71 ng/g, respectively. This study found that the prevalence of AZA-2 was very low in shellfish imported into Korea.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Food Hygiene and Safety Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.74-77
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• 2001

In order to investigate the distribution of paralytic shellfish poison, we examined the toxicity during from February to October in 2000. Of 591 shellfish samples, $17(2.88\%)$ samples were detected. Scapgarca broughtonii was highest collected $14.29\%(2/14)$. In the monthly detection rate of PSP, April was highest $13.3\%(8/60)$, in the regional collecting rate, Cheon-nam coastal area was highest $3.82\%(10/262)$, and in cases of imported area, China was $8.3\%(1/12)$. Imported area as well as domestic area samples should be strengthen to examine enduringly.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.924-928
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• 2005

Toxin profiles of the paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) detected from domestic shellfishes collected at the market and imported. shellfishes were invested by fluorometric HPLC. Total 9 components in PSP were analysed from the imported ark shell, such as saxitoxin (STX), decarbamoylsaxitoxin (dcSTX), gonyautoxin (GTX) - 1,2,3,4,5, Cl and C2. Among those toxins, 7 components except for GTX1,4 were detected from domestic shellfishes and showed different toxin contents and toxin compositions by species. Only C group toxin (Cl +2) contained in short necked clam and hard clam $(0.06\~0.56\;nmole/g)$ which living under soil but, in the blue mussels and oysters which cultured in the open sea water, showed more higher toxicity and complicate toxin compositions. Toxin compositions in bloody clam and purplish washington clam were very different in some samples even in same species. GTX4 and GTX5 were higher in imported scallop and STX was higher in imported ark shell than other species.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.247-250
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• 2001

In order to investigate the distribution of paralytic shellfish poison, we examined the toxicity during from February to October in 2000. Of 591 shellfish samples, 17(2.88%) samples were detected. Scapgarca broughtonii was highest collected 14.29%(2/14). In the monthly detection rate of PSP, April was hitest 13.3%(8/60), in the regional collecting rate, Cheon-nam coastal area was highest 3.82%(10/262), and in cases of imported area, China was 8.3%(1/12). Imported area as well as domestic area samples should be strengthen to examine enduringly.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.411-418
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• 2020

In this study, we reviewed a group of marine biotoxins, namely yessotoxins (YTXs), focusing on their causative organisms, contaminated shellfish, domestic and foreign management status, and analytical methods. Although YTXs have not yet been reported in any cases of seafood contamination in South Korea, it is necessary to implement preemptive measures through continuous monitoring because there is a potential risk, due to the introduction of toxic microalgae associated with climate changes and the introduction of contaminated seafood from various countries. YTXs are produced by dinoflagellates, such as Protecratium reticulatum, Gonyaulax polygramma, Gonyaulax spinifera, and Lingulodinium polyedrum, all of which are species found along Korea's coastal areas. Analysis of YTXs in shellfish samples is mainly performed by use of LC-MS/MS after methanol extraction and SPE cartridge clean-up (HLB or strata-X). In the case of lipophilic marine biotoxins, including YTXs, pectenotoxins, and azaspiracids, the extraction and purification procedures are similar. Thus, it seems that the simultaneous analysis of several lipophilic marine biotoxins in shellfish samples is possible, and optimization is necessary. In addition, continuous monitoring studies on causative marine microalgae for YTXs in Korean coastal waters and contaminations in domestic and imported seafood are needed.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.89-95
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• 1995

Highly lethal Listeria monocytogenes, causing bromatoxism through vegetables, dairy products, meat products and shellfish etc, was examined for possible contamination in market beef. USDA, FDA, Malthus and Modified Cold Enrichment methods were used for the detection of Listeria spp.. Samples of domestic and imported market beef were collected from local meat shopsat Seoul, Korea. Total two hundreds and six of Listeria spp. were isolated and identified from beef. Among 206 isolates, the number of L. welshimeri was one hundred and twenty-one(44.8%). The numbers of isolated L. innocua, L. murrayi, L. monocytogenes, L. grayi, L. seeligeri, and L. ivanovii were 49(18.1%), 14(5.2%), 12(4.4%), 6(2.2%), 2(0.7%), and 2(0.7%), respectively. Detection rates of Listeria spp. varied among four methods. The highest detection rate of Listeria spp. in market beef was found at USDA method and that of L. monocytogenes was found at Malthus method.

• The Journal of Fisheries Business Administration
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.29-43
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• 2021

This study investigated whether there is a correlation between the occurrence of hazardous substances such as vibrio, norovirus, radioactivity, shellfish posion, hepatitis A, etc. and media reports, and whether the occurrence of hazardous substances and media reports affect the production, distribution and consumption of aquatic products. The main research results are as follows. First, it can be seen that there is a difference in the relationship between the occurrence of hazardous substances and media reports according to hazardous substances. Second, it suggests seen that the occurrence of hazardous substances and media reports can have a negative effect on the production and the prices of aquatic products. Third, it was found that the occurrence and reporting of hazardous substances had different effects on the distribution margin of aquatic products due to the complexity and rigidity of the distribution structure. Fourth, consumers feel a threat to aquatic products safety and significantly reduce consumption when hazardous substances occur. There is a possibility that concerns about one item may lead to a decrease in consumption of domestic and imported aquatic products that are not related at all to the occurrence of hazardous substances. In conclusion, aquatic products are exposed to various hazardous substances such as vibrio, norovirus, radioactivity, shellfish posion, and hepatitis A. It was found that the occurrence of hazardous substances and its media reports could cause damage to the fishery sector.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.915-923
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• 2005

We monitored paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) by HPLC method in shellfishes including a sea squirt, and its products produced in domestic and imported, total 35 species, 850 samples, collected at 9 cities such as Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Ulsan, Pohang, Masan, Tongyeong, Geoje and Sacheon, 10 times by month (2 times in April and May) from March to October, 2004. PSPs were detected in a few raw samples on March, and it showed highest toxic ratio $(72.9\%)$ on third week of April (51 samples toxic in total 70 samples) and decreased suddenly to $2.4\%$ on third week of May. After then, PSPs were detected in a few samples, sporadically, and disappeared after August. Most raw shellfishes in the market were safe from PSP, showing the toxicity below 1 MU/g (quarantine level 4.0 MU/g), except oyster collected on April at Masan (1.9 MU/g), blue mussel on April (1.8 MU/g) and purplish washington clam on May at Sacheon (2.1 MU/g). However, it was strongly suggested to survey and under control for the imported scallops and ark shells which showed highly toxic in the quarantine level on May, July, even September. PSP were not detectable in the all shellfish products collected on May, July and September, except 2 boiled and dried mussels contained trace amount (0.01 MU/g), and all those products were safe as below quarantine toxin level (4.0 MU/g).

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.452-460
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• 2019

Exposure to heavy metals through the consumption of contaminated seafood poses a health risk to humans. In Korea, seafood imports are increasing with consumption, with the largest increase in imported seafood coming from Russia. Peter the Great Bay and the Razdolnaya River are both major fisheries and protected areas under the Northwest Pacific Action Plan located near Vladivostok, Russia. This study analyzed heavy metal [cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), total mercury (tHg), and total (tAs), and inorganic (iAs) arsenic] concentrations in shellfish and crustaceans collected from these areas. Except for iAs, the major toxic heavy metal concentrations of the samples met the national standards (Cd, 0.024-0.982 and 0.003-0.379 mg/kg; Pb, 0.021-1.533 and 0.002 mg/kg; tHg, 0.006-0.015 and 0.036-0.097 mg/kg). The tAs concentrations of three samples exceeded the Russian standard (5 mg/kg, wet weight), whereas the iAs concentrations were extremely low (ND-0.033 mg/kg). Compared with the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, the percentages of PTWI of Cd, Pb, and tHg were 0.239%, 0.001-0.049%, and 0.013-0.302%, respectively. These findings reveal that there is no potential health risk by heavy metals through the consumption of Russian seafood obtained in the surveyed areas.