Is Okadaic acid safe for babies and kids?
High risk for kidsInfants are highly susceptible to Okadaic acid due to lower body weight, immature detoxification pathways, and dietary exposure through contaminated grains or breast milk.
What is okadaic acid?
The IUPAC name is (2R)-3-[(2S,6R,8S,11R)-2-[(E,2R)-4-[(2S,2'R,4R,4aS,6R,8aR)-4-hydroxy-2-[(1S,3S)-1-hydroxy-3-[(2S,3R,6S)-3-methyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecan-2-yl]butyl]-3-methylidenespiro[4a,7,8,8a-tetrahydro-4H-pyrano[3,2-b]pyran-6,5'-oxolane]-2'-yl]but-3-en-2-yl]-11-hydroxy-4-methyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undec-4-en-8-yl]-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropanoic acid.
Also known as: (2R)-3-[(2S,6R,8S,11R)-2-[(E,2R)-4-[(2S,2'R,4R,4aS,6R,8aR)-4-hydroxy-2-[(1S,3S)-1-hydroxy-3-[(2S,3R,6S)-3-methyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecan-2-yl]butyl]-3-methylidenespiro[4a,7,8,8a-tetrahydro-4H-pyrano[3,2-b]pyran-6,5'-oxolane]-2'-yl]but-3-en-2-yl]-11-hydroxy-4-methyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undec-4-en-8-yl]-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropanoic acid, 9,10-Deepithio-9,10-didehydroacanthifolicin, 1W21G5Q4N2, Acanthifolicin, 9,10-deepithio-9,10-didehydro-.
- IUPAC name
- (2R)-3-[(2S,6R,8S,11R)-2-[(E,2R)-4-[(2S,2'R,4R,4aS,6R,8aR)-4-hydroxy-2-[(1S,3S)-1-hydroxy-3-[(2S,3R,6S)-3-methyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecan-2-yl]butyl]-3-methylidenespiro[4a,7,8,8a-tetrahydro-4H-pyrano[3,2-b]pyran-6,5'-oxolane]-2'-yl]but-3-en-2-yl]-11-hydroxy-4-methyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undec-4-en-8-yl]-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropanoic acid
- CAS number
- 78111-17-8
- Molecular formula
- C44H68O13
- Molecular weight
- 805.0 g/mol
- SMILES
- CC1CCC2(CCCCO2)OC1C(C)CC(C3C(=C)C(C4C(O3)CCC5(O4)CCC(O5)C=CC(C)C6CC(=CC7(O6)C(CCC(O7)CC(C)(C(=O)O)O)O)C)O)O
- PubChem CID
- 446512
Risk for babies
High riskInfants are highly susceptible to Okadaic acid due to lower body weight, immature detoxification pathways, and dietary exposure through contaminated grains or breast milk.
Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.
Risk for pregnant and nursing people
Context-dependentPregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Okadaic acid, potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.
No specific reproductive toxicity data identified, but pregnancy-specific safety data is limited for most chemicals. Precautionary minimization of exposure is recommended.
Regulatory consensus
4 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Okadaic acid. The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IARC | — | Not formally classified as a human carcinogen | IARC has not formally classified okadaic acid as a human carcinogen |
| EU | — | 160 μg OA equivalents/kg tissue (regulatory limit in shellfish) | EU regulates OA in shellfish |
| CODEX | — | 160 μg OA equivalents/kg tissue (regulatory limit in shellfish) | CODEX regulates OA in shellfish |
| EFSA | — | Acute reference dose of 0.3 μg OA equivalents/kg body weight | EFSA established an acute reference dose |
Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.
Where kids encounter okadaic acid
- Industrial Facilities — Manufacturing plants, Chemical storage areas, Waste treatment sites
- Occupational Environments — Factories, Warehouses, Transportation vehicles
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Okadaic acid:
-
Avoidance (no chemical substitute)
Trade-offs: Direct chemical substitution requires verification that the replacement does not introduce new hazards (regrettable substitution). Conduct full hazard assessment of proposed alternative before adoption.Relative cost: 1.2-2×
Frequently asked questions
Is okadaic acid safe for kids?
Infants are highly susceptible to Okadaic acid due to lower body weight, immature detoxification pathways, and dietary exposure through contaminated grains or breast milk.
What products contain okadaic acid?
Okadaic acid appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments).
What should I do if my child is exposed to okadaic acid?
Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.
Why do regulators disagree about okadaic acid?
Okadaic acid has been classified by 4 agencies including IARC, EU, CODEX, EFSA, with differing conclusions. Regulators apply different standards of evidence (animal data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds), which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. See the regulatory consensus table on this page for the full picture.
See Okadaic acid in the baby app
Look up products containing okadaic acid, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (2)
- EFSA Panel on Contaminants: Scientific Opinion on Marine Biotoxins — Okadaic Acid and Analogues (Diarrhetic Shellfish Toxins), PP2A Inhibition, Tumor Promotion, Acute Reference Dose (0.3 μg OA eq/kg bw), and EU Regulatory Framework (EFSA Journal 2008;589) (2008) — regulatory
- US FDA/CFSAN: Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) — Okadaic Acid, Dinophysis and Prorocentrum Sources, Clinical Syndrome, and Regulatory Considerations for US Shellfish Monitoring (2021) (2021) — regulatory
Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →