Abstract

Our aim is determination of Tetrodotoxin (TTX) levels of Lagocephalus sceleratus, collected from different regions of Northern Cyprus Sea; during fall and winter seasons. Lagocephalus sceleratus from family Tetraodontidae is originated from Red Sea. After the opening of Suez Channel in 1869, many species including Lagocephalus sceleratus started to migrate to Mediterranean waters. Their population increased very fast because they don’t have any predators in the Mediterranean Sea. Different tissues of this fish has TTX which is 1200 times stronger then cyanide. TTX is a non-protein, heat resistant molecule which binds to sodium channels of musculatory and nervous system. Ingestion of tissues of this fish can cause death or serious toxications. Collected fish samples stored at -20⁰C until dissection of tissues. TTX levels from homogenized tissue samples were detected with Indirect Competitive Enzyme-Labelled Immunoassay by TTX ELISA Test Kit according to manufacturer instructions. Five different tissues were analyzed in totally eight different fish for two seasons. Distribution of average toxicity between these tissues in the fall season were; Ovarium/Testis>Liver>Intestine>Muscle>Skin. Distribution of average toxicity between these tissues in the winter season were; Ovarium/Testis>Liver>Intestine>Skin>Muscle. Most toxic three tissues during these two seasons were determined as; Ovarium/Testis=0.219µg/g, Liver=0.179µg/g and Intestine=0.122µg/g. When we compare our results with previous studies, tissue ranking of TTX levels show similarities, but in general, TTX levels in our samples were lower than other studies. Besides all tissues are under toxic limit (2.2µg/g) in our study. For determining TTX levels in all seasons in Lagocephalus sceleratus from this area, we also collected spring and summer fish samples and we will measure their toxicity level as well.