saxitoxin

[ sak-si-tok-sin ]
/ ˌsæk sɪˈtɒk sɪn /

noun

a powerful neurotoxin, C10H17N7O4, produced by the dinoflagellate Gonyaulax catenella, the causative agent of red tide.

Origin of saxitoxin

1960–65; < New Latin Saxi(domus), a clam genus infected by the dinoflagellates (equivalent to Latin sax(um) stone + -i- -i- + domus house) + toxin

Medical definitions for saxitoxin

saxitoxin
[ săk′sĭ-tŏksĭn ]

n.

A potent neurotoxin produced by certain dinoflagellates that accumulates in shellfish feeding on these organisms and consequently causes food poisoning in humans who eat the shellfish.