Palliative Measures to Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP)

Abstract

The Philippines has been monitoring for disastrous harmful algal blooms (HABs), locally known as a toxic red tide for several years. HABs can be a cause of the proliferation of dinoflagellate Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum (Pbc). Pbc blooms are said to affect tropical bivalves such as the green mussel Perna viridis or locally known as tahong and the thorny oyster Spondylus squamosus [14]. When the shellfish consumed the Pbc and eaten by the people, it causes paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). These Pbc are highly potent due to its capability to block the sodium channels of the membranes of the neuron cell and lead to sudden death and paralysis [8]. The test subjects in this study were the white mice, Mus musculus. The mouse bioassay method was from the “Practical Guide on Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning Monitoring in the Philippines, 2002”, which was provided by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). Ingesting the toxin to the mice’s mouth was through the 1-mL tuberculin syringe. In this study, the palliative measures after ingesting the toxin are the ingestion of coconut milk (gata) and virgin coconut oil (VCO). The experimental method of research explicitly used the factorial design in determining the effects of coconut milk (gata) and VCO as an antidote to PSP. The findings of the study showed that coconut milk (gata) is much more useful than the virgin coconut oil (VCO) as a palliative measure to PSP. Furthermore, it is best to introduce the treatment right after the ingestion of the toxin.