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

As part of a study funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Bradley Moore, a Scripps Oceanography professor of marine biology, marine chemistry and geochemistry, worked to determine how domoic acid is produced with the hope of creating a predictive model. —City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2025

However, human fatalities from domoic acid exposure are rare, scientists say. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2025

This is the fourth consecutive year there has been a domoic acid event, but this year’s started much earlier than previous ones, according to Milstein. —Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025

Marine animal experts can help sea lions by bringing them to rehabilitation facilities, where they are treated by veterinarians who flush the domoic acid from their systems. —Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Japanese dōmoi, the alga Chondria armata

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for domoic acid

• antacid
• placid

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