7-1 Introduction

Abstract

See, stats, and : https : / / www . researchgate . net / publication / 289857259 Azaspiracids Chapter DOI : 10 . 1201 / b16662 - 32 CITATIONS 2 READS 79 5 , including : Some : ASTOX2 Marine , ecology , analysis Philipp Institut 183 , 117 SEE Pearse National 59 SEE Christopher National 231 , 070 SEE All . The . This chapter describes the chemical characteristics of azaspiracids (AZAs) to complete the view on this toxin group , with two other chapters in this book dedicated to toxicological 1 and ecological aspects . 2 AZAs are a group of polyether toxins first reported to cause food poisoning in 1995 . 3 , 4 Since then , a small number of food poisoning incidents have occurred , and it is now accepted that this group of compounds requires regulation to protect public health . 5 – 8 At least six risk assessments have been carried out over the last decade to determine appropriate levels for regulatory limits in order to protect public health , 1 yet all these assessments are based on a single poisoning incident in 1997 and attempt to set levels based on the presence of just three analogues : AZA1 , AZA2 , and AZA3 . Over the last 5 years , more than 30 additional analogues have been described , with both biotransformation in shellfish and chemical interconversion shown to contribute to the chemical diversity of this toxin group .