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Tetrodotoxin is the poison that is produced by the puffer fish and a number of other animals. It is a virulent poison, the LD50 for the mouse is10 nanograms. It acts by blocking the conduction of nerve impulses along nerve fibers and axons. The victim eventually dies from respiratory paralysis. Stanford University, USA, reported the asymmetric total synthesis of tetrodotoxin in2003. Assuming that the lethal dose for humans is similar,25 milligrams of tetrodotoxin would be expected to kill a75 kg (170 lb) person. The amount needed to reach a lethal dose by injection is much smaller,8 μg per kg, or a little over one-half milligram per person. Tetrodotoxin has no antidote; supportive treatment is needed.
