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
The 13 pelicans had been poisoned by domoic acid, a toxin that occurs in algal blooms, which fish can consume.
—
Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
The cause is less demonic and more likely domoic acid toxicosis caused by toxic algal bloom, often referred to as red tide, experts say.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2025
What to know about domoic acid poisoning The sea lion’s death came during an uptick in the number of sea lions suffering from domoic acid poisoning found along the Southern California coast, according to a Feb. 25 Facebook post from the Pacific Marine Mammal Center.
—Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2025
On one Sunday earlier this year, 16 dead dolphins were collected from San Diego-area beaches, a majority of whom later tested positive for high levels of domoic acid.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for domoic acid
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Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
The cause is less demonic and more likely domoic acid toxicosis caused by toxic algal bloom, often referred to as red tide, experts say.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2025
What to know about domoic acid poisoning The sea lion’s death came during an uptick in the number of sea lions suffering from domoic acid poisoning found along the Southern California coast, according to a Feb. 25 Facebook post from the Pacific Marine Mammal Center.
—Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2025
On one Sunday earlier this year, 16 dead dolphins were collected from San Diego-area beaches, a majority of whom later tested positive for high levels of domoic acid.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for domoic acid
Cite this Entry
“Domoic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/domoic%20acid. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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