There are thousands of species of algae, which are microscopic living organisms. Among these, 200 is the species that harm human health and nature. Among them, 80 produces as many types of poison. One of these toxic algae species belongs to Amnesic Shellfish Poison (ASP) group. Domoic acid produced by algae in this group causes memory loss in humans. The poisons they release do not directly harm fish and shellfish, but lead to poisoning in humans or some meat-fed animals consuming these products.

These intoxications are caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites and toxins. For example, a type of algae called dinoflagellata is to produce toxins such as domoic acid, saxitoxin, yessotoxin, brevetoxin.

Domoic acid, which causes amnesic shellfish poisoning (Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning, ASP), which causes memory loss in humans, is produced by a unicellular algae.

First, domoic acid poisoning was found at the end of 1980s. In Canada, a large number of people who consume mussels infected with this type of poison have been affected, and 4 has lost their lives. A few years later, hundreds of birds in America were found to have received large amounts of domoic acid.

Domoic acid is mainly responsible for the poisoning of amnesic shellfish. Domoic acid is water soluble and resistant to heat, cooking and freezing. In European Union countries, the limit that is accepted by people is defined as 20 µg / g (Directive 97 / 61 / EEC). The mortality rate in domoic acid poisoning was determined as 3 percent. People suffer from memory loss as a result of consuming mussels containing 200 µg / g domoic acid.

In advanced laboratories, Amnesic Shellfish Poison Group (ASP) intoxication analyzes are performed by invivo method within the scope of biotoxin analysis. These analyzes are based on standards and test methods published by national and international organizations. The standard considered in this respect is:

• TS EN 14176 Foodstuffs - Determination of domoic acids in mussels by HPLC