Two detection methods, Liquid chromatography quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometry for multiclass screening and identification of 16 lipophilic marine biotoxins in bivalve mollusks and sea water, were newly patented in China, with the patent number being ZL201210388443.3 and ZL201210388457.5, respectively. These two methods were established by Dr. Tan Zhijun and his colleagues, from the Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute (YSFRI), Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences.

The major advantage of these two methods is that, all six groups of lipophilic marine biotoxins: okadaic acid (OA), yessotoxins (YTX), azaspiracids (AZA), pectenotoxins (PTX), cyclic imines (CIs), and brevetoxins (PbTXs) in bivalves or sea water can be detected simultaneously, so that a maximum amount of information for quantification and high confidence identification is obtained from a single LC-MS/MS test. Separation was developed and tested in identifying 16 target toxins in one single analysis within 12 min. In particular, the method for testing LPs in sea water is combined with the Solid Phase Adsorption Toxin Tracking (SPATT) method for sample collection, so that it can detect the LPs in difference layers of sea water.

These two methods have been used for one year to monitor the lipophilic marine biotoxins in two typical and important shellfish culture areas located at Dalian Zhangzidao Island, Liaoning Province and Qingdao Jiaozhou Bay, Shandong Province respectively. Both methods showed excellent sensitivity, and are fit for use in long-term monitoring programs. Using these methods can especially improve the efficiency of these monitoring programs, so as to promote public health protection by its fast response time.