domoic acid

noun

do·​mo·​ic acid də-ˈmō-ik- How to pronounce domoic acid (audio)
: a neurotoxin C15H21NO6 that is produced by some diatoms (especially genus Pseudo-nitzschia) and has caused poisoning in vertebrates (such as sea lions, birds, and humans) that have consumed diatom-contaminated fish or shellfish

Examples of domoic acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Toxic algae bloom suspected in deaths of sea lions and dolphins on Southern California coast What happens in domoic acid poisoning? Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY, 7 Aug. 2024 As a result, scientists had associated springtime with domoic acid outbreaks. Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2024 The culprit: domoic acid, a neurotoxin produced by harmful algal blooms. Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2024 At the time, the nonprofit reported many of the sea mammals have been rescued from the shoreline along Ventura and Santa Barbara counties after getting sick with domoic acid poisoning in late July 2024. Marissa Wenzke, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for domoic acid 

Word History

Etymology

Japanese dōmoi, the alga Chondria armata

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of domoic acid was in 1982

Dictionary Entries Near domoic acid

Cite this Entry

“Domoic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/domoic%20acid. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

domoic acid

noun
do·​mo·​ic acid də-ˈmō-ik- How to pronounce domoic acid (audio)
: a neurotoxin analog C15H21NO6 of glutamic acid that is produced chiefly by marine diatoms (as Pseudo-nitzschia australis and Pseudo-nitzschia pungens) and has caused poisoning in sea mammals and birds and amnesic shellfish poisoning in humans who have consumed contaminated fish or shellfish

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