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
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Species such as seabirds, sea lions and dolphins have been impacted by elevated levels of the neurotoxic domoic acid produced by the algae blooms in the region.
—
Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 21 July 2025
Analysis shows these birds had ingested high amounts of domoic acid, from a diatom called pseudo-nitzschia, the same chemical that’s poisoned thousands of marine mammals in California this year alone.
—Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
The animal was suspected to be suffering from domoic acid.
—Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
Due to the domoic acid poisoning, the sea lion had to be euthanized, officials said.
—Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2025
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Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 21 July 2025
Analysis shows these birds had ingested high amounts of domoic acid, from a diatom called pseudo-nitzschia, the same chemical that’s poisoned thousands of marine mammals in California this year alone.
—Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
The animal was suspected to be suffering from domoic acid.
—Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
Due to the domoic acid poisoning, the sea lion had to be euthanized, officials said.
—Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 21 July 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 10 Aug. 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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