Impact of a toxic and a non-toxic strain of Microcystis aeruginosa on the crayfish Procambarus clarkii

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2001

Authors

Vasconcelos, V (Author) FCUP; Oliveira, S (Author) Other; Teles, FO (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Toxicon

Vol. 39

Pages: 1461-1470

ISSN: 0041-0101

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 85 Citations

Scopus - 97 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Basic medicine

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-T7W

DOI: 10.1016/s0041-0101(01)00105-2

Abstract (EN): The occurrence of cyanobacteria in many water bodies where crayfish such as Procambarus clarkii are abundant leads to the possibility of toxin accumulation and food chain transfer. This paper describes the accumulation and deputation of microcystins from a microcystin and a non-microcystin producing strain of Microcystis aeruginosa, on the survivorship, growth and nutritional status of P. clarkii. Crayfish larvae were resistant to cyanobacteria and their toxins, surviving cyanobacteria densities during acute exposures. Juvenile crayfish tolerated toxic cyanobacteria better than non-toxic ones. This effect was also observed when analysing nutritional status of crayfish fed toxic and non-toxic cyanobacteria with the former having better lipid and protein contents than those fed non-toxic Microcystis. P. clarkii accumulated up to 2.9 mug MCYST/dry crayfish weight and the deputation pattern was similar to that observed for mussels by other authors. Due to the fact that the major part of the toxin is accumulated in the intestine and in the hepatopancreas, there is no significant risk in terms of human health if these parts are removed prior to crayfish consumption. Nevertheless, their use in dairy food and the possible transference of toxins along food chains should not be disregarded.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10