DSP Alert
Okadaic Acid Test for Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning
DSP Alert is a rapid test for detecting Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) toxins, like Okadaic Acid (OA) and its analogues. This on-site test allows producers, regulators, and harvesters to monitor toxin levels in under an hour, preventing economic losses and ensuring safety for human consumption.
Broad Species Coverage
Validated across filter feeding species including mussels, scallops, clams, and oysters, DSP Alert detects marine toxins across diverse environmental conditions. This rigorous testing ensures reliable quantification of DSP toxins in shellfish samples derived from real-world harmful algal blooms. By accounting for complex matrices to isolate Okadaic Acid (OA), our platform supports regional shellfish sanitation programs worldwide in preventing economic losses and certifying that harvested products are safe for human consumption.
Traffic Light System for Rapid Risk Assessment
Our Traffic Light System goes beyond simple positive or negative detection methods by classifying toxin levels into three intuitive tiers: Green (low; no DSP toxins in shellfish detected), Amber (medium; Okadaic Acid (OA) approaching the limit), and Red (high; exceeds regulatory limits for Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning). This differentiation enables users to instantly gauge marine biotoxin severity from harmful algal blooms, supporting better informed decision making for public health and effective response planning to mitigate economic losses.
Lower Costs and Reduced Waste
Requiring 20x less shellfish sample and 3x less solvent, our test significantly lowers disposal costs for hazardous waste. This efficiency protects your budget while monitoring toxin produced by harmful algae, offering a sustainable solution for regional shellfish sanitation programs. Additionally, minimizing chemical use streamlines the analysis of marine toxins, helping operators mitigate economic losses and ensure products meet safety standards for human consumption.
Why Choose DSP Alert?
Broad Species Coverage
Reliably detects DSP toxins in shellfish across specific filter feeding species, from mussels and clams to oysters.
Traffic Light System for Rapid Risk Assessment
Our Traffic Light System classifies Okadaic Acid (OA) levels into Green (low), Amber (medium), or Red (high). This instantly assesses the risk of Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) to prevent unsafe products from reaching the market.
Efficient by Design
Uses minimal solvent and shellfish sample, reducing material costs while accurately identifying marine toxins.
Portable and Practical
Field-ready kits ensure recreationally harvested and commercial operations are equipped for rapid response to harmful algal blooms.
Trusted by Professionals
Used worldwide by Shellfish Sanitation Program managers and processors to protect public health and ensure compliance.
Frequently Ask Questions
Okadaic Acid (OA) is a lipophilic marine biotoxin produced by dinoflagellates found in harmful algae. It serves as the parent compound for a group of related marine toxins known as dinophysistoxins—most notably DTX1 and DTX2—which are the major analogs contributing to toxicity. A critical characteristic of this toxin produced is its heat stability, meaning the compound remains chemically active and dangerous even after high-temperature cooking.
Contamination begins when filter feeding shellfish ingest algae during harmful algal blooms, causing toxin levels to accumulate rapidly. This creates DSP toxins in shellfish without changing the appearance of the shellfish sample. Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) occurs when the diarrhetic shellfish poison toxin enters the body through human consumption. Symptoms typically start within 30 minutes, characterized by nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and severe abdominal pain, posing a significant risk to public health.
No. DSP toxins are odorless, tasteless, and invisible. A shellfish sample with dangerous levels of Okadaic Acid (OA) will look and taste exactly like a healthy one. There is no visual warning for marine toxins. The only way to ensure safety is through rigorous testing protocols or by checking the open/closed status of the area with your local Shellfish Sanitation Program.
No. While depuration is effective for removing bacteria like E. coli, it is ineffective for removing marine biotoxins like Okadaic Acid (OA). These lipophilic toxins bind tightly to the fatty tissue of the shellfish. Once a shellfish sample tests positive for toxin levels above the regulatory limit, the product cannot be “cleaned” and is unsafe for human consumption. This makes early detection before harvest critical to preventing economic losses.
Testing the water is not enough because shellfish are filter feeding organisms that concentrate toxins over time. Even after a harmful algal bloom has dissipated from the water column, dangerous toxin levels can remain trapped in the digestive glands of the animal. Testing the specific shellfish sample is the only way to accurately measure marine toxins and verify that the product is safe for human consumption.
DSP outbreaks can cause massive recalls if contaminated product reaches the market. By using on-site testing to detect DSP toxins in shellfish before harvest, producers can make immediate decisions to delay harvesting or move to clean zones. This proactive approach helps operators coply with the Shellfish Sanitation Program, protecting the brand’s reputation and avoiding the devastating economic losses associated with public health outbreaks and lawsuits.