{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: An On-Farm Workflow for Predictive Management of Paralytic Shellfish Toxin-Producing Harmful Algal Blooms for the Aquaculture Industry.
{Author}: Ruvindy R;Ajani PA;Ashlin S;Hallegraeff G;Klemm K;Bolch CJ;Ugalde S;Van Asten M;Woodcock S;Tesoriero M;Murray SA;
{Journal}: Environ Sci Technol
{Volume}: 58
{Issue}: 16
{Year}: 2024 Apr 23
{Factor}: 11.357
{DOI}: 10.1021/acs.est.3c10502
{Abstract}: Paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) produced by marine dinoflagellates significantly impact shellfish industries worldwide. Early detection on-farm and with minimal training would allow additional time for management decisions to minimize economic losses. Here, we describe and test a standardized workflow based on the detection of sxtA4, an initial gene in the biosynthesis of PSTs. The workflow is simple and inexpensive and does not require a specialized laboratory. It consists of (1) water collection and filtration using a custom gravity sampler, (2) buffer selection for sample preservation and cell lysis for DNA, and (3) an assay based on a region of sxtA, DinoDtec lyophilized quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay. Water samples spiked with Alexandrium catenella showed a cell recovery of >90% when compared to light microscopy counts. The performance of the lysis method (90.3% efficient), Longmire's buffer, and the DinoDtec qPCR assay (tested across a range of Alexandrium species (90.7-106.9% efficiency; r2 > 0.99)) was found to be specific, sensitive, and efficient. We tested the application of this workflow weekly from May 2016 to 30th October 2017 to compare the relationship between sxtA4 copies L-1 in seawater and PSTs in mussel tissue (Mytilus galloprovincialis) on-farm and spatially (across multiple sites), effectively demonstrating an ∼2 week early warning of two A. catenella HABs (r = 0.95). Our tool provides an early, accurate, and efficient method for the identification of PST risk in shellfish aquaculture.