This project will develop lateral flow devices capable of detecting shellfish toxins caused by harmful algal blooms, thus reducing the risk to consumers of shellfish contamination and increasing confidence in shellfish products.
£603,314
18 months
Shellfish are a sustainable and low carbon food supply essential to the UK economy and many rural communities. However, the industry is frequently challenged by toxic blooms of algae, commonly known as harmful algal blooms (HABs), which contaminate the shellfish, posing a risk to human health and an economic challenge to the shellfish producers.
The consortium team, lead by Robert Gordon University, included partners Scottish Biologics Facility (University of Aberdeen), Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science and Lateral Dx Ltd. The project received further support from other organisations, including shellfish growers and scallop producer companies. These included Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre, Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers, Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group, West Country Mussels, Cromarty Mussels and Food Standards Scotland.
The project developed designer antibodies incorporated into lateral flow devices for the detection of amnesic and diarrhoetic shellfish toxins in the field. The lateral flow tests can be read by a calibrated reader to provide the actual concentration of toxin in the shellfish meat in fifteen minutes, empowering the producer and processors to make informed critical decisions on harvesting/mitigation strategies. This capability will transform commercial viability, reduce risk, and increase confidence in shellfish products.
Robert Gordon University