First report on the occurrence of microcystins in planktonic cyanobacteria from Central Mexico

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2010

Authors

Vitor Vasconcelos (Author) FCUP; Antonio Martins (Author) Other; Micaela Vale (Author) Other; Agostinho Antunes (Author) FCUP; Joana Azevedo (Author) Other; Martin Welker (Author) Other; Oscar Lopez (Author) Other; Gustavo Montejano (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Toxicon

Vol. 56

Pages: 425-431

ISSN: 0041-0101

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 57 Citations

Scopus - 62 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Basic medicine

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-3VV

DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2010.04.011

Abstract (EN): Although toxic cyanobacteria are commonly described worldwide, only one recent paper on the toxicity of cyanobacteria in Mexico has been published reporting the occurrence of cylindrospermopsin and saxitoxins. Microcystins are the most commonly studied cyanotoxins in many countries and those that may cause the most dramatic problems in terms of human health. In this paper, we studied the occurrence of potentially toxic cyanobacteria in different ecosystems in Central Mexico. Samples were collected in natural lakes (Zumpango, Laguna Atotonilco and Cienega Chica), reservoirs (Los Angeles and Valle de Bravo), man-made channels (Cuemanco, Tlameleca) and urban lakes (Chapultepec). A multi-technique approach was applied by the use of molecular, immunological and chemical techniques. Cyanobacteria were found in all the sites, ranging from 1.6 x 10(3) cells/mL in Tlameleca to 7.5 x 10(6) cells/mL in Chapultepec Grande, representing between 67 and 100% of the total phytoplankton density. The concentration of total microcystins varied between 4.9 and 78.0 mu g MC-LR eq/L. The results revealed the occurrence of MC-LR in all the sites analyzed by MALDI-TOF, and MC-FR, MC-RR and MC-H4YR in two sites. Most of the studied sites are used either as a source of drinking water, as a recreational area, or for agriculture irrigation purposes, so the risk for human health may be high if not properly monitored. This is the first report on the MC profiles and concentrations in blooms collected in Mexico.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7