Analyses of cyanobacterial toxins

A range of equipment is available at CCT for analyses of cyanobacterial toxins. Microcystins are the most extensively studied cyanobacterial metabolites, and their levels are regulated in drinking waters according to recommendations of WHO (1 µg/L, Czech national decree No. 252/2004 Sb.). In CCT, microcystins are analyzed by HPLC a ELISA. Recently, methods based on mass spectrometry are developed also for other types of toxins such as cylindrospermopsin.

Microcystins are analyzed by validated methods in following matrices:

• water (including drinking waters)
• phytoplankton biomass (e.g. water blooms)
• phytobenthos and biofilms
• sediments from reservoirs and rivers

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC Agilent 1100 with UV-VIS PDA detector) is routinely used for microcystin analyses. Methods have been validated in 2000 within the international interlaboratory comparisons. In 2008, Czech national ring-test for microcystin analyses has been organized in cooperation with National Institute of Public Health. 

ELISA techniques are also used for analyses of cyanobacterial toxins. We have tested commercial kits (e.g. from Envirologix (Portland, USA) but with regard to large numbers of analyses, we have developed in-house techniques based on two different antibodies (anti-Microcystin-LR MAb - MC10E7, and anti-Adda MAb - AD4G2). Carcinogenic alkaloid cylindrospermopsin is analysed by screening ELISA kit from Biosense, (Bergen, Norway).

Analytical laboratories are also fully equipped for complex sample preparation and pre-separation which includes automatic extractor, ultrasonic extractor, vacuum rotary evaporator, freeze dryer Heto PowerDry LL3000 (Thermo Scientific), manifold for automatic SPE etc.

Selected references:

• Adamovsky, O., Kopp, R., Hilscherova, K., Babica, P., Palikova, M., Paskova, V., Navratil, S., Blaha, L. (2007): Microcystin kinetics (bioaccumulation, elimination) and biochemical responses in common carp and silver carp exposed to toxic cyanobacterial blooms. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 26(12): 2687-2693.
• Babica, P., Kohoutek, J., Blaha, L., Adamovsky, O., Marsalek, B. (2006): Evaluation of extraction approaches linked with HPLC and ELISA for analyses of microcystin-LR, -RR and -YR in freshwater sediments with variable organic material content. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 385(8): 1545-1551.
• Blaha, L., Marsalek, B. (2003): Contamination of drinking water in the Czech Republic by microcystins. Archiv fuer Hydrobiologie 158(3): 421-429.