Question

Scombroid poisoning is related to
(A) Thunnus alalunga
(B) Coryphaena hippurus
(C) Labeo rohita
(D) Oreochromis niloticus. Choose the correct answer from the options given below.

• A. (A), (B) and (D) only.
• B. (A), (B) and (C) only.
• C. (A), (B), (C) and (D).
• D. (A) and (B) only.

Hint:

Scombroid poisoning is caused by histamine buildup in dark-muscle pelagic marine fishes (like Tuna, Mackerel, and Mahi-mahi) that are not kept cold. It does not occur in freshwater white-flesh fishes like Rohu or Tilapia.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Scombroid food poisoning (or histamine fish poisoning) is a foodborne illness caused by eating spoiled fish that contain high levels of histamine.
This issue occurs when certain marine fish species are not properly chilled after harvest, allowing spoilage bacteria to convert the amino acid histidine into toxic histamine.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The amino acid histidine is found in high concentrations in the dark muscle tissue of active, migratory marine pelagic fishes.
These species are primarily found in the family Scombridae (such as tunas, mackerels, and bonitos), as well as some non-scombroid marine families.
Let us review the species listed in the options:
(A) Thunnus alalunga (Albacore Tuna):
A pelagic scombroid fish with high levels of histidine in its muscle tissue.
If not properly refrigerated, bacteria like Morganella morganii use the enzyme histidine decarboxylase to convert this histidine into histamine, leading to scombroid poisoning.
(B) Coryphaena hippurus (Mahi-mahi or Dolphin Fish):
A non-scombroid marine pelagic fish that also contains high levels of free histidine and is a common cause of scombroid poisoning.
(C) Labeo rohita (Rohu) and (D) Oreochromis niloticus (Nile Tilapia):
These are freshwater herbivorous or omnivorous species.
Their white muscle tissue contains very low levels of free histidine, making them safe from scombroid histamine toxicity.
Therefore, scombroid poisoning is associated with the marine pelagic species listed in (A) and (B).

Step 3: Final Answer:
Scombroid poisoning is associated only with Thunnus alalunga and Coryphaena hippurus.
This corresponds to Option 4 ((A) and (B) only).