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Description
Paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) are potent toxins produced by some microalgae species. Accumulation of these toxins in mollusks during harmful algal blooms (HABs) may lead to grave intoxications when bivalves are consumed by humans. Apart from public health concern, HABs represent significant economic burden for aquaculture and tourism with annual losses in EU exceeding 918 M EUR. Due to unpredictability of HABs, routine surveillance programs of toxins in commercial bivalves are established in the EEA member countries (http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2004/853/oj).
The multidisciplinary consortium of the COASTAL project aims to develop microfluidic system with integrated sensors for rapid PSTs’ detection. This low-cost portable tool could be used by shellfish producers for early detection of PST contaminated shellfish batches, contributing to the sustainability and competitiveness of the sector. The project targets are a) to develop methodology for simultaneous sensing of major 5 PSTs occurring in Portuguese and Norwegian; b) to develop user-friendly microfluidic architecture to perform automated toxins detection in small sample volumes that could be used outside of laboratory settings by operators without specialized skills; c) to benchmark the developed microfluidic sensing system against conventional analytical techniques, and to estimate its innovation potential d) to improve competences of consortium members.
Donor country partner SINTEF contributes to the project with the development of integrated microfluidic sensors. Joined with the expertise in electrochemical sensing of the Project Promoter University of Aveiro and expertise in PST detection of Portuguese and Norwegian National Reference Laboratories, the COASTAL consortium aims at bringing this innovative idea into practical use for shellfish producers. The COASTAL consortium will create a highly interactive and learning environment fostering innovative ideas in the field of marine toxins surveillance.
Summary of project results
Most coastal countries are affected by the uncontrolled proliferation of microalgae, known as harmful algal blooms (HABs). Some of these microalgae species biosynthesize toxins that can accumulate in the tissues of filter-feeding bivalves. Consumption of contaminated seafood may lead to shellfish poisoning in humans. HABs are not only a major concern for public health but are also detrimental to the economy, specifically to aquaculture, fishing, and tourism. Due to the unpredictability of HABs, routine surveillance programs for toxins in commercial bivalves were established in EU countries. Among monitored marine toxins, paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) are particularly worrisome due to their deleterious effects on humans. The COASTAL project seeks to mitigate the negative effects of HABs by developing a novel miniaturized sensing screening tool for the rapid and sensitive detection of PSTs.
The project has developed and optimized three sensor chip designs and two concepts of microfluidic sensor cells, created two arrays of potentiometric chemical sensors for detecting PSTs relevant for monitoring in Portuguese and Norwegian coastal waters at concentration levels corresponding to regulatory limits, developed and validated a simplified methodology for bivalve meat extract preparation, and devised a user-friendly microfluidic architecture for performing toxin detection on small sample volumes (less than 7 μL) in an automated format. This system can be used outside of laboratory settings by operators without specialized skills and requires minimal sample preparation.
The developed novel benchtop technology for rapid screening of PSTs can provide a quick answer on whether toxin concentrations exceed the defined regulatory limits surpassing the current limitations of conventional analytical techniques and to streamline PST detection methods. To the best of our knowledge, there is currently no such portable sensing solution available. The proposed microfluidic sensing system can be repurposed for other analytical targets and sample types, including other marine toxins. The main intended end-users of this tool are bivalve producers and reference labs involved in toxin surveillance. Successful implementation of the proposed sensing tools will enable efficient management of bivalve harvests, particularly at the start or end of a toxicity episode, producing positive economic, social, and environmental impacts.
Summary of bilateral results
Donor countries were represented in the COASTAL project by SINTEF and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), both in Norway. SINTEF is the largest independent R&D organization in the Nordic countries, with experience in the design and fabrication of advanced sensors and actuators. SINTEF contributed to the COASTAL project by designing and manufacturing miniaturized electrochemical sensors, integrating them into the microfluidic cell, and implementing the measuring technology in the microfluidic format.The NMBU team is a part of the Norwegian Surveillance Program on Marine Toxins in Shellfish, with experience in the analysis of toxins and drug residues. They contributed to the COASTAL project by planning experimental activities, including sample preparation and toxin detection strategies.The main results of the bilateral collaboration included:- Specific competences and skills acquired by all consortium members in the project thematic areas. Specifically, competences in sensor miniaturization technologies, analysis automation, and microfluidics were acquired by UA team, dissemination of new tools for shellfish producers by IPMA team, and miniaturization of electrochemical sensing technologies and their integration with microfluidics for automation of environmental analytical methods by SINTEF team, extending its portfolio of integrated detection applicable in the field.- Career growth of young researchers was supported by participation through training, participation in international scientific conferences and project dissemination activities.- Five joint scientific publications were prepared by the COASTAL team, including two peer-reviewed journal papers and three conference papers. Two webinars and one in-person workshop were jointly organized.- Long-term collaborative plans between Portuguese and Norwegian partners and their respective networks were elaborated. A proposal for the Water4All 2023 Joint Transnational Call has been submitted.