Application of Radiolabeled Technique in Indonesia: A Receptor Binding Assay (RBA) Approach for Analysing Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) Toxins in Green Mussels from Lampung Bay

U. Sugiharto (1. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science (FMIPA), Bogor Agricultural University (IPB University), Jl. Tanjung, Kampus IPB Dramaga, Bogor, 16680, Indonesia 2. Research Center for Radiation Process Technology, Research Org)
E. Rohaeti (Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science (FMIPA), Bogor Agricultural University (IPB University), Jl. Tanjung, Kampus IPB Dramaga, Bogor, 16680, Indonesia)
H. Purwaningsih (Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science (FMIPA), Bogor Agricultural University (IPB University), Jl. Tanjung, Kampus IPB Dramaga, Bogor, 16680, Indonesia)
A. A. Lubis (Research Center for Radiation Process Technology, Research Organization for Nuclear Energy, National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Gedung 720, KST B.J. Habibie Serpong, Jalan Puspiptek, Muncul, Kec. Setu, Kota Tangerang Selatan,)
T. R. D. Larasati (Research Center for Radiation Process Technology, Research Organization for Nuclear Energy, National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Gedung 720, KST B.J. Habibie Serpong, Jalan Puspiptek, Muncul, Kec. Setu, Kota Tangerang Selatan,)
D. Shintianata (Research Center for Radiation Process Technology, Research Organization for Nuclear Energy, National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Gedung 720, KST B.J. Habibie Serpong, Jalan Puspiptek, Muncul, Kec. Setu, Kota Tangerang Selatan,)
F. P. Andini (Research Center for Radiation Process Technology, Research Organization for Nuclear Energy, National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Gedung 720, KST B.J. Habibie Serpong, Jalan Puspiptek, Muncul, Kec. Setu, Kota Tangerang Selatan,)
S. S. Meiliastri (Research Center for Radiation Process Technology, Research Organization for Nuclear Energy, National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Gedung 720, KST B.J. Habibie Serpong, Jalan Puspiptek, Muncul, Kec. Setu, Kota Tangerang Selatan,)
M Muawanah (Main Center for Marine Aquaculture, Lampung Marine Aquaculture Center, Directorate General of Aquaculture, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. Jl. Yos Sudarso, Hanura, Kecamatan Teluk Pandan, Kabupaten Pesawaran, Lampung 35450, Indonesia)

Atom Indonesia
Vol 52, No 2 (2026): AUGUST 2026

The Receptor Binding Assay (RBA), using radiolabeled [³H]-saxitoxin as a tracer, was applied to detect Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) toxins in green mussels (Perna viridis) from Lampung Bay, Indonesia. Sampling was conducted during Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) events in 2012, 2014, and 2015, which coincided with mass fish mortality linked to red tide phenomena. The RBA achieved a markedly lower detection limit (0.2 µg STX eq. /100 g) than the conventional Mouse Bio-Assay (MBA) of 40 µg STX eq. /100 g and offered greater sensitivity, specificity, and faster analysis without ethical constraints. Environmental parameters such as nutrients, water quality, and plankton community composition were also monitored to elucidate ecological drivers of toxin production. The findings represented that RBA was a reliable and efficient tool for PSP toxin monitoring, providing early-warning capability for HAB-related risks in tropical marine ecosystems.