| abstract |
The present invention relates to methods for the rapid extraction of ciguatoxins from tissue samples. In one embodiment, a tissue sample is extracted with a first solvent to solubilize and extract ciguatoxin from the sample. A second solvent, which is not soluble in the first solvent and which extracts contaminants but not ciguatoxin, is then added. The phases formed by the first and second solvents are separated, and the first solvent phase is collected. The first solvent is evaporated from the first solvent phase to produce a residue which is resuspended in a third solvent. A fourth solvent, which is not soluble in the third solvent and which extracts contaminants but not ciguatoxin, is added to the third solvent/residue mixture. The phases formed by the third and fourth solvents are separated, and the third solvent phase, which comprises ciguatoxin, is collected. In a second embodiment, a sample is applied to a coupled antibody-resin. The coupled antibody-resin is washed with a solution to remove unbound material, but not ciguatoxin, from the coupled antibody-resin, and ciguatoxin is then eluted from the coupled antibody-resin. |