Seasonal variation of tetrodotoxin and analogues in Korean pufferfish (Takifugu pardalis) and risk assessment of dietary exposure in Korean population

초록

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent neurotoxin found at high concentrations in pufferfish Takifugu pardalis. Despite its common consumption in Korea, few studies have examined seasonal variations in TTX and its analogues. This study investigated seasonal changes in TTX and its analogue composition in Korean T. pardalis using UHPLC-triple quadrupole and UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap mass spectrometry. TrideoxyTTX was the predominant analogue. TTX and its analogues peaked in January, which coincided with the spawning season, and again between August and October, corresponding to rising sea temperatures. The highest toxicity levels of TTX, 4-epiTTX, and 4,9-anhydroTTX in edible muscle tissues were observed during the spawning period in January. Exposure assessments showed that in January, 2023, the estimated daily intake of TTX analogues among Koreans aged 50–64 exceeded the EFSA acute reference dose. These findings suggest that reproductive processes and sea temperature significantly influence TTX accumulation in pufferfish, increasing toxicity and exposure risks to the toxin.

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