The detection of tetrodotoxin (TTX) and saxitoxin (STX) in dried salted yellow puffer fish (Xenopterus naritus) eggs bought from Satok Market, Kuching, Sarawak was carried out by mouse bioassay method. The amount of TTX and STX detected in the samples ranged from 95.6-195.5 Mouse Unit (MU)/g and 1.72-3.58 MU/g respectively. The results indicate that the dried salted eggs samples were found to contain TTX 9-20 times above the regulatory limit for human consumption (10 MU/g). Although detected, the amount of STX in salted eggs extract was slightly below the accepted threshold limit (4 MU/g). The local public in Sarawak should be educated on the potential danger of consuming dried salted puffer fish eggs in addition to the current warnings on puffer fish.
Marine fungi are potential source of bioactive compounds as indicated by the increasing statistic
of research findings. However similar research in Malaysia is still lacking. Hence, this study
is undertaken to determine the antibacterial activity of four marine fungal isolates (PR1T4,
PP2L4, PR3T13 and PR5T4) from Pulau Redang and Pulau Payar Marine Parks, Malaysia
against Salmonella Typhi, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia
coli. Fungal isolates were first macroscopically and microscopically characterized and later
molecularly identified as Penicillium citrinum, Sacroladium strictum, Aspergillus sydowii and
Aspergillus sp. respectively. Solid and broth fermentation of fungi were carried out to produce
crude extracts and these extracts were screened for antibacterial activity. In general, solid
fermentation extracts (SFE) showed significantly higher antibacterial activity (p