Tetrodotoxin as a toxic principle in the horseshoe crab Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda collected from Bangladesh

Abstract

The toxicity and toxic principle of the horseshoe crab Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda collected from Bangladesh during November to December, 1998 were examined. Although egg, testis and viscera were recognized to be toxic, their toxicity levels were comparatively low (under 10 MU/g; maximum of 7.4 MU/g in egg). The toxin was purified by ultrafiltration through a YM-1 membrane and two types of chromatography on Bio-Gel P-2 and Bio-Rex 70. The separated toxin was analyzed by HPLC, TLC, electrophoresis, and 1H-NMR, and identified as tetrodotoxin. This is the first report on the toxicity and toxic principle of the Bangladeshi horseshoe crab.