Detection and quantification of maitotoxin-like compounds using a neuroblastoma (Neuro-2a) cell based assay. Application to the screening of maitotoxin-like compounds in Gambierdiscus spp.

SK&F 96365 was used in a Neuroblastoma (Neuro-2a) cell based assay to determine the production of maitotoxin-like (MTX-like) compounds in two strains of Gambierdiscus spp. A 2.5 hour assay was effective for the detection of the MTX-induced toxic effects with a concentration that inhibited 50% cell viability (IC50) equivalent to 3.38 nM MTX. Evidence was found for the production of MTX-like compounds in both Gambierdiscus strains studied at concentrations of 404 and 36.7 nmoles MTX equivalence per 106 cells. The assay is proposed as an efficient approach to the detection and quantification of MTX-like compounds in Gambierdiscus spp.