Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a well-known potent neurotoxin and is the principle toxin of puffer fish poisoning. TTX is also found in a number of other organisms, including the California newt, Taricha torosa. The identification and quantitation of TTX and its analogs are important for understanding its biosynthesis for defense and other environmental cues. We have developed a method for sampling which minimizes disturbances to newt populations and obviates the need to 1) collect and remove from natural stream pools, 2) disrupt breeding, 3) sacrifice animals, and 4) inflict a large wound. In addition, we have optimized the extraction and recovery of TTX from the animal tissue over published methods. The reduced sample size capitalizes on the improved HPLC-FLD method developed in this laboratory in 2011. We present results of the determination of TTX isolated from 2 mm skin punch samples of T. torosa sampled in the wild from streams in southern California.

Reduced sample size and improved extraction and recovery of tetrodotoxin from the California newt, <i>T. torosa</i>, with quantitation by HPLC-FLD

247th National Meeting (2014)

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Reduced sample size and improved extraction and recovery of tetrodotoxin from the California newt, T. torosa, with quantitation by HPLC-FLD