Analyses of cyanobacterial toxins (microcystins, cylindrospermopsin) in the reservoirs of the Czech Republic and evaluation of health risks

Abstract

Massive cyanobacterial water blooms and production of toxins (cyanotoxins) have become a worldwide problem. In this report, we present results of cyanotoxins analyses (peptide microcystins, alkaloid cylindrospermopsin) in the Czech Republic reservoirs using HPLC-PDA and ELISA. Our study suggests the occurrence of cylindrospermopsin in the Czech Republic for the first time (particularly, in water blooms containing Aphanizomenon klebahnii). We also discuss human health risks associated with microcystins in relation to the drinking water guideline value of 1.0 lg/l as recommended by the World Health Organization.

Inhibition of gap-junctional intercellular communication and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases by cyanobacterial extracts – Indications of novel tumor-promoting cyanotoxins?

“…Aphanizomenon sp. may be of concern due to the possible production of hepatotoxic and potentially carcinogenic cylindrospermopsin (Rucker et al, 2007; Blahova et al, 2008). Since we did not analyze cylindrospermopsin content in the tested samples, we can only speculate about concentrations of cylindrospermopsin in A. flos-aquae extracts.…”

Cylindrospermopsin: cyanobacterial secondary metabolite. Biological aspects and potential risk for human health and life

“…In Europe its presence was confirmed for the first time in two German lakes: Langer See and Melangsee (Fastner et al 2003). Subsequently this toxin has been found in several other water bodies in Spain, the Czech Republic and France (Quesada et al 2006, Bláhová et al 2008, Brient et al 2009). In Poland, CYN was detected for the first time in samples from lakes of Wielkopolska -Bnińskie, Bytyńskie and Lubosińskie (Kokociński et al 2009).…”

Eutrophication of Lakes

“…Additionally, large seasonal variations of temperature and rainfall were evaluated during the sample period. The average monthly values of temperature and precipitation were calculated for all the sampling periods based on data from the Brazilian National Institute of Meteorology (INMET) for the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte in 2008. The Carlson (1977 TSI, modified by Toledo et al (1983), was calculated for each of the sites.…”

“…Cyanobacteria blooms affect water quality by changing the pH, transparency, and biodiversity, and by producing odors and/or toxins, such as cyanotoxins (Blahová et al 2008). Toxic blooms of cyanobacteria are common in man-made lakes in the semiarid regions of Brazil and they frequently cause human health threats (Molica et al 2005;Costa et al 2006;Vasconcelos et al 2011).…”