Pufferfish (also known as fugu in Japan) are indeed highly toxic due to the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX), a potent neurotoxin.
Tetrodotoxin is found mainly in the liver, ovaries, intestines, and skin of the fish. It blocks sodium channels in nerve cells, preventing normal signaling and leading to paralysis or even death by respiratory failure.
Potency: It is estimated that tetrodotoxin is over 1,000 times more toxic than cyanide by weight.
As little as 1 milligram of tetrodotoxin can be fatal to an adult human.
No known antidote exists for tetrodotoxin poisoning, making it extremely dangerous.
Despite its risks, fugu is a delicacy in Japan, where specially trained and licensed chefs are allowed to prepare it.
The toxin is believed to originate from bacteria in the food chain (like Vibrio spp.), which the pufferfish accumulate.
Tetrodotoxin is found mainly in the liver, ovaries, intestines, and skin of the fish. It blocks sodium channels in nerve cells, preventing normal signaling and leading to paralysis or even death by respiratory failure.
Potency: It is estimated that tetrodotoxin is over 1,000 times more toxic than cyanide by weight.
As little as 1 milligram of tetrodotoxin can be fatal to an adult human.
No known antidote exists for tetrodotoxin poisoning, making it extremely dangerous.
Despite its risks, fugu is a delicacy in Japan, where specially trained and licensed chefs are allowed to prepare it.
The toxin is believed to originate from bacteria in the food chain (like Vibrio spp.), which the pufferfish accumulate.
Pufferfish (also known as fugu in Japan) are indeed highly toxic due to the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX), a potent neurotoxin.
Tetrodotoxin is found mainly in the liver, ovaries, intestines, and skin of the fish. It blocks sodium channels in nerve cells, preventing normal signaling and leading to paralysis or even death by respiratory failure.
Potency: It is estimated that tetrodotoxin is over 1,000 times more toxic than cyanide by weight.
As little as 1 milligram of tetrodotoxin can be fatal to an adult human.
No known antidote exists for tetrodotoxin poisoning, making it extremely dangerous.
Despite its risks, fugu is a delicacy in Japan, where specially trained and licensed chefs are allowed to prepare it.
The toxin is believed to originate from bacteria in the food chain (like Vibrio spp.), which the pufferfish accumulate.
