Studies on the Toxicity Test of Tetrodotoxin by Chicken Embryos

Abstract

This study aimed to establish a rapid and reliable biological test using chick embryos for estimation of toxicities of various substances contained in foods. Tetrodotoxin was tested in this experiment. The sample dissolved in acetic acid solution, pH 3.5 was inoculated into air cells or yolk sacs of White Leghorn fertile eggs aged three to seven days and toxicity of the sample was estimated by their mortalities during three days after inoculation. All the chick embryos proved more sensitive to air cell inoculation than yolk sac one, among which five day-old eggs were most sensitive. Therefore, it is considered that the method with air cell inoculation using five day-old chick embryo is preferable concerning both sensitivity and reliabilty. Moreover, it was found that the chick embryo test was more excellent than the toxicity test using mouse because of its good sensitivity and reproducibility. © 1976, Japanese Society for Food Hygiene and Safety. All rights reserved.