Tetrodotoxin in Various Tissues of Yellow Puffer Fish, Xenopterus naritus (Richardson 1848) from Betong, Sarawak, Malaysia

Abstract

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) content of the yellow puffer fish, Xenopterus naritus (Richardson 1848) collected from Kg. Manggut, Betong, Sarawak, Malaysia was studied from August 2011 to June 2012. A total sample of 276 fish (141 males, 135 females) with total lengths ranging from 12.5 to 31.0 cm and body weights from 38.9 to 711g were used in the study. The amount of TTX in different tissues (liver, skin, muscle, gonad and stomach) was analysed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Results showed that the concentrations of TTX in all tissues between the months were significantly different throughout the year (p<0.05). The highest mean of TTX was detected in the ovary (330 µg. g-1), followed by the stomach (22.