The research, published in the journal *ACS Environmental Au*, involved specialists from CEAC, the Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology and Rovira i Virgili University (Spain), and the Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education of Ensenada (Mexico); it enabled the isolation of 35 monoclonal strains of benthic microalgae. Key findings include the fact that *Gambierdiscus caribaeus* was the most represented species among the analyzed isolates, while the presence of *Gambierdiscus australes* was recorded for the first time in Cuban and Caribbean waters.
Through bioassays and mass spectrometry, researchers confirmed the production of C-CTX5 by a Cuban strain of *Gambierdiscus silvae*—evidence reinforcing that species’ role as a significant source of ciguatoxins in the region.
Chemical analyses also revealed the presence of other metabolites, such as gambierone and 44-methylgambierone, in the studied strains; these results expand knowledge regarding microalgae biodiversity in the Caribbean.
The study was conducted under the CIGUATOX project, funded by the Agency for Nuclear Energy and Advanced Technologies, with support from Spanish research programs and the European BlueShellfish project.
Ciguatera is a form of food poisoning associated with the consumption of fish contaminated with ciguatoxins, representing a public health issue in tropical and subtropical zones. The data provided by CEAC contribute to environmental monitoring and the prevention of health risks in Cuba.
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