Phycotoxins pose a serious threat to human and animal health, as they can build up in shellfish and fish and cause poisoning when consumed. In humans, they can lead to severe gastrointestinal symptoms as well as neurological effects. These toxins cannot be removed by cooking or freezing, making prevention and early monitoring essential.
They are produced by certain microscopic algae (phytoplankton) and cyanobacteria, which can multiply rapidly under the right conditions. Beyond their immediate health impacts, phycotoxin production has far-reaching ecological and socio-economic consequences, particularly for coastal communities, fisheries and marine ecosystems.
In ASTRA, a project funded by AQUARIUS during its first Transnational Access Funding Call, Romanian researchers are moving away from the traditional reactive method of testing for phycotoxins in final products (such as mussels) towards early detection directly in the water column, targeting the primary source of contamination. By directly monitoring phycotoxins and harmful microalgae in the water, data on potential risk is obtained. This allows for the implementation of immediate preventive measures (such as temporarily banning mussel collection), thereby contributing directly to food safety.
Led by National Institute for Marine Research and Development Grigore Antipa and coordinated by Dr. Laura Boicenco, the ASTRA project marks a milestone in Romanian marine research. Following a successful research cruise aboard the RV TÜBİTAK Marmara, the project introduced a paradigm shift in phycotoxin monitoring strategy.
More than 800 samples of water, sediment, and biological material were collected. A crucial part of this work involved analysing sediment samples containing microalgal cysts, which can trigger future toxic algal blooms. Understanding these cysts provides essential long-term data to anticipate bloom events and strengthen risk management strategies.
“The ASTRA project represents a unique opportunity to deepen knowledge regarding harmful algal bloom species and their associated phycotoxins, contributing essential information for protecting marine ecosystems and their efficient management,” said Dr. Laura Boicenco, Coordinator of the ASTRA Project at National Institute for Marine Research and Development Grigore Antipa.
This mission marked a significant step in regional collaboration, extending marine phycotoxin risk assessments to a transnational scale by including the waters of the Sea of Marmara in Türkiye for the first time.
