Comparison of sample preparation methods, validation of an UPLC-MS/MS procedure for the quantification of tetrodotoxin present in marine gastropods and analysis of pufferfish

► We extracted tetrodotoxin from Trumpet shells and pufferfish samples. ► ASE and a simple solvent extraction used as sample preparation techniques. ► Both extraction procedures provided good recoveries (80-92%). ► A UPLC-MS/MS method was developed for TTX analysis. ► We validated the procedure according to the EU guidelines (2002/657/EC).