domoic acid

noun

do·​mo·​ic acid də-ˈmō-ik- 

: 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

Last summer, for example, a red tide bloom released a neurotoxin called domoic acid that sickened sea lions and other marine mammals along the California coast, including in Los Angeles. —Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Japanese dōmoi, the alga Chondria armata

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

domoic acid

noun

do·​mo·​ic acid də-ˈmō-ik- 

: 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