Puffer Fish Poisoning

Date of Award

2004

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Beulig, Alfred

Keywords

Tetrodotoxin, Puffer Fish, Food Poisoning, Japanese Culture

Area of Concentration

Natural Sciences

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to explore the spectrum of phenomena surrounding the event of puffer fish poisoning. To this end, I will review the bacterial involvement in I puffer fish poisoning and other animals that contain these tetrodotoxin-producing bacteria. I will explore the cultural aspects of puffer fish poisoning in Japan and other countries, including laws surrounding puffer fish preparation and disposal, the taste of puffer fish and the use of puffer toxin in the creation of zombies. I will briefly review the chemical structure and detection methods of tetrodotoxin. Additionally included is a review of the human health effects of puffer fish poisoning as well as a more detailed discussion of the physiological effects of tetrodotoxin as a blocker of the voltage-gated sodium ion channel. Saxitoxin, a toxin with nearly identical effects as tetrodotoxin, and its associated poisoning, paralytic shellfish poisoning, is reviewed briefly as well. In closing is an exploration of the benefits of tetrodotoxin and its potential use as a drug for the management of pain.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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