Evaluation of the presence of marine biotoxins in bivalve molluscs in the coastal region of Ribeirão in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina

Abstract

Santa Catarina represents the major part of the production of bivalve mollusks in Brazil. Its capital, Florianópolis, is a big cultivation pole and the coastal area of Ribeirão da Ilha, a neighborhood located in the south of the island, is a place with significant production. The present study aimed to evaluate the results of the monitoring analysis of phytotoxins carried out on oysters and mussels from the coastal area of Ribeirão da Ilha, from October 2019 to October 2020. The compilation of data showed the occurrence of marine biotoxins in the region on five dates. The reports presented okadaic acid values of 243.7; 350.0; 335.0; 173.8; and 186.2 µg/kg. On these occasions, the values were above the maximum allowed by Brazilian legislation and, therefore, the removal and commercialization of mollusks were temporarily prohibited in the period when the contamination was present. Thus, this work demonstrates that monitoring the quality of water and bivalve mollusks are of great importance to ensure consumer’s health, having in mind the possible expansion of the cultivation and consumption of this kind of food in the coming years.