First detection of anatoxin-a in human and animal dietary supplements containing cyanobacteria

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2009

Authors

Sandra Rellán (Author) Other; Joana Osswald (Author) Other; Martin Saker (Author) Other; Ana Gago-Martinez (Author) Other; Vitor Vasconcelos (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Food and Chemical Toxicology

Vol. 47 No. 4

Pages: 2189-2195

ISSN: 0278-6915

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 51 Citations

Scopus - 65 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-G3Q

DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2009.06.004

Abstract (EN): Anatoxin-a is a potent neurotoxin produced by several species of cyanobacteria. This alkaloid may cause fatal intoxication to exposed organisms and this has raised concerns over the increasing popularity of food supplements containing cyanobacteria. These are being marketed with alleged health properties for animal and human consumption. These supplements most commonly contain the genera Spirulina (Arthrospira) and Aphanizomenon and their consumption represent a potential route for anatoxin-a exposure in cases where adequate quality control is not undertaken. In this work, several dietary supplements containing cyanobacteria from different commercial suppliers were evaluated for the presence of anatoxin-a by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Additionally, the presence of the previously derivatized anatoxin-a was confirmed by using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 39 samples were analysed in the study. Results showed that three of the samples (7.7%) contained anatoxin-a, at concentrations ranging from 2.50 to 33 mu g g(-1). Quality control of cyanobacteria[ food supplements is required to avoid potential health effects in humans and animals.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7