Effect of the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine on the depuration of the amnesic shellfish poisoning toxin, domoic acid, in the digestive gland of the king scallop <i>Pecten maximus</i>

Domoic acid (DA) is a potent neurotoxin produced by worldwide distributed diatoms of the genus Pseudo-nitzchia (PSN) and responsible for Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP) in humans. King scallop Pecten maximus, bivalve species high commercial interest, regularly subjected to blooms Pseudo-nitzschia sp., thus accumulating retaining levels DA extended periods, leading prolonged fisheries aquaculture closures important economic losses following increasingly recurrent toxic PSN blooms. The underlying mechanisms behind this accumulation long toxin retention remain poorly understood so far. Fishermen industry ask methods accelerate depuration contaminated scallops, which has led investigate effect some substances such as antioxidant N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), was previously found improve up four-fold P. maximus adductor muscle. Our study investigated potential NAC all tissues, including digestive gland (DG), where most accumulated. Twenty-four adult scallops were collected australis bloom Bay Brest (France) half treated with (250 mg L −1 ) 6 days. HPLC quantification analyses did not revealed any significant differences burdens DG between control group. amounts muscle gonads below detection limit both groups. results that does appear commercially suitable solution industries enhancer tested conditions.