saxitoxin
noun
sax·i·tox·in
ˌsak-sə-ˈtäk-sən 
: a potent nonprotein neurotoxin C10H17N7O4·2HCl that originates especially in dinoflagellates (genera Alexandrium, Gymnodinium, and Pyrodinium) found in red tides and that sometimes occurs in and renders toxic normally edible mollusks which feed on them
Examples of saxitoxin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As Outside previously reported, saxitoxin can lead to paralysis, and microcystin can damage the liver if ingested.
—
Julia Ries, Outside Online, 9 Aug. 2024
People who eat shellfish contaminated with high levels of saxitoxins usually start feeling ill within 30 to 60 minutes, according to Oregon health officials.
—TIME, 11 June 2024
Unlike the peptides derived from spider or centipede venoms, saxitoxin is a small molecule, which means any medication based on it can be taken as a pill.
—Leah Shaffer, Discover Magazine, 24 Feb. 2016
Also gathered there and likely to have high levels of saxitoxin were butter clams, a species known for holding the toxins for extended time periods — and also an important food source for personal-use harvesters.
—Yereth Rosen, Anchorage Daily News, 23 June 2022
The poison, called saxitoxin, comes from the same algae that glows like fairy dust at night in the lagoon.
—USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2020
The study, led by Florida Tech, is the first report of saxitoxin being detected in marine mammals absent an algae bloom.
—USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2020
Analysis found moderate levels of saxitoxin in samples taken from some decaying bodies.
—Hal Bernton, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Nov. 2019
The rest had moderate levels of saxitoxin, according to Lefebvre.
—Hal Bernton, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Nov. 2019
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Julia Ries, Outside Online, 9 Aug. 2024
People who eat shellfish contaminated with high levels of saxitoxins usually start feeling ill within 30 to 60 minutes, according to Oregon health officials.
—TIME, 11 June 2024
Unlike the peptides derived from spider or centipede venoms, saxitoxin is a small molecule, which means any medication based on it can be taken as a pill.
—Leah Shaffer, Discover Magazine, 24 Feb. 2016
Also gathered there and likely to have high levels of saxitoxin were butter clams, a species known for holding the toxins for extended time periods — and also an important food source for personal-use harvesters.
—Yereth Rosen, Anchorage Daily News, 23 June 2022
The poison, called saxitoxin, comes from the same algae that glows like fairy dust at night in the lagoon.
—USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2020
The study, led by Florida Tech, is the first report of saxitoxin being detected in marine mammals absent an algae bloom.
—USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2020
Analysis found moderate levels of saxitoxin in samples taken from some decaying bodies.
—Hal Bernton, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Nov. 2019
The rest had moderate levels of saxitoxin, according to Lefebvre.
—Hal Bernton, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Nov. 2019
Dictionary Entries Near saxitoxin
Cite this Entry
“Saxitoxin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/saxitoxin. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
saxitoxin
noun
saxi·tox·in
ˌsak-sə-ˈtäk-sən
: a potent nonprotein neurotoxin C10H17N7O4·2HCl that originates especially in dinoflagellates (as of the genera Alexandrium, Gymnodinium, and Pyrodinium) found in red tides and causes paralytic shellfish poisoning when ingested in contaminated shellfish
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