Dissolved azaspiracids are absorbed and metabolized by blue mussels (Mytilus edulis)

► Blue mussels were exposed to dissolved AZAs, live and lysed Azadinium spinosum. ► Mussels accumulated dissolved AZAs to greater than legal limit. ► Biotransformation of algal toxins into shellfish metabolites was observed. ► Mussels accumulate AZAs mainly in gills when AZAs are dissolved. ► Mussels accumulate AZAs mainly in digestive glands when fed A. spinosum.