Table 5.
Level of saxitoxin in bivalve and pelagic fish samples collected from the markets in Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran, Putatan, and seacoast villages in Sepangar and Kuala Penyu
| Date sample collected (2013) | Source of sample | Bivalve species | Saxitoxin level (µg STX equivalents/100 g bivalve meat) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 4 | Taman Jaya Diri, Sepangar, | Fan shell | 590 |
| February 13 | Inanam market, Kota Kinabalu | Green mussel | 3,940 |
| Tuaran market, Tuaran | Green mussel | 3,490 | |
| Inanam market, Kota Kinabalu | Green mussel | 3,660 | |
| Mean | 2,920 ± 780 | ||
| May 24 | Numbak village, Sepangar | Green mussel | 70 |
| June 7 | Pulau Sepangar | Crassostrea belcheri | 70 |
| June 10 | Membakut market (Beaufort) | “Dalus” (Meretrix meretrix) | 40–50 |
| “Lokan” (Geloina coaxan) | Nil | ||
| “Tuntul” (Turritella duplicata) | 40 | ||
| June 10 | Kuala Penyu | “Dalus” (Meretrix meretrix) | 100 |
| “Tuntul” (Turritella duplicata) | 50 | ||
| Crassostrea belcheri | 490 | ||
| June 12 | Sipitang | “Ikan rumahan” (short mackerel, Rastrelliger brackysoma) | Nil |
| June 17 | Putatan market | “Lokan” (Geloina coaxan) | Nil |
| Crassostrea belcheri | Nil | ||
| June 19 | Sipitang | “Ikan basung” (round scad, Decapterus punctatus | Nil |
| June 21 | Kg Penimbawan market (Tuaran) | Crassostrea belcheri | 220 |
| Mean for contaminated Crassostrea | 360 ± 140 | ||
The current safe level for saxitoxin is 80 µg of STX equivalents per 100 grams of meat.