Contamination by Microcystis and microcystins of blue–green algae food supplements (BGAS) on the italian market and possible risk for the exposed population

Vichi, Susanna; Lavorini, Paolo; Funari, Enzo; Scardala, Simona; Testai, Emanuela

doi:10.1016/j.fct.2012.09.029

Cited by 88 publications

(81 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…and A. flos-aquae can coexist with other potentially toxic strains of cyanobacteria which share the same habitat, as Microcystis sp. ; the contamination of BGAS sold as nutraceuticals in different countries with MCs has been repeatedly shown [89][90][91][92], in many cases showing a substantial percentage of samples (approximately 40-70%) with MCs levels up to 35 µg/g per dry weight product [93], thus exceeding 1 µg/g MC-LR equivalents, the provisional guidance value set by the Oregon Dept. of Agriculture, starting from a provisional TDI of 0.04 μg/kg bw per day [63].…”

Section: Food Supplementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emerging health issues of cyanobacterial blooms

Manganelli

Scardala

Stefanelli

et al. 2012

Annali Dell'Istituto Superiore Di Sanità

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Abstract. This paper describes emerging issue related to cyanobacterial dynamics and toxicity and human health risks. Data show an increasing cyanobacteria expansion and dominance in many environments. However there are still few information on the toxic species fitness, or on the effects of specific drivers on toxin production. Open research fields are related to new exposure scenario (cyanotoxins in water used for haemodialysis and in food supplements); to new patterns of co-exposure between cyanotoxins and algal toxins and/or anthropogenic chemicals; to dynamics affecting toxicity and production of different cyanotoxin variants under environmental stress; to the accumulation of cyanotoxins in the food web. In addition, many data gaps exist in the characterization of the toxicological profiles, especially about long term effects.

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Section: Food Supplementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emerging health issues of cyanobacterial blooms

Manganelli

Scardala

Stefanelli

et al. 2012

Annali Dell'Istituto Superiore Di Sanità

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“…The amount of MCs was quantified by the external standard quantification procedure, referring to a calibration straight line with 4-6 known amounts of the analytical standards in solvent (coefficient of determination, R 2 ≥0.98), for water samples, and in the blank fish matrix, for fish samples, in order to exclude any interference due to matrix effect. Indeed, salts that are hardly removed during extraction procedures and sample preparation may influence samples ionization, causing a quenching of the signal for some congeners whereas for others the signal can be overcompensated (Vichi et al, 2012). In fish samples, recovery was also investigated N o n -c o m m e r c i a l u s e o n l y spiking pre-and post-extraction with known amounts of standard MCs.…”

Section: Fishmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A similar qPCR approach was applied to quantify the toxic fraction of Microcystis (Vichi et al, 2012); however, some cross reactivity was observed when primers were tested in the presence of W. naegeliana cells, which often co-occurred with Microcystis in the environmental samples, thus making this method unreliable for the quantitative estimation of Microcystis mcy + cells.…”

Section: Molecular Investigationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, humans can be orally exposed through the ingestion of cyanobacteria-based food supplements (Saker et al, 2005;Vichi et al, 2012) or food items such as fish and shellfish with bioaccumulated toxins (e.g., through filtration of contaminated water) (Ibelings and Chorus, 2007;Berry, 2013). Additional routes of exposure are dermal contact and accidental inhalation during recreational activities in waters subjected to a toxic bloom.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Cyanobacterial dynamics and toxins concentrations in Lake Alto Flumendosa, Sardinia, Italy

et al. 2017

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Seasonal blooms of cyanobacteria (CB) are a typical feature of Lake Alto Flumendosa (Sardinia, Italy). The waters of this lake are used for drinking water supply, for agricultural and industrial uses, and fish farming activities. Since cyanotoxins are not monitored in edible organisms, diet could be a relevant route of human exposure. CB also represent a threat for the health of wild and domestic animals that use lake water for beverage. Therefore, to characterize the CB community and assess the risk for human and animal population, CB dynamic, mcyB+ fraction, and microcystins (MCs) concentration have been followed monthly for 18 months, in three stations. Results confirmed the presence of several toxigenic species. Planktothrix rubescens dominated between August 2011 and April 2012 (3.5×106 cells L-1), alternating with Woronichinia naegeliana (8×106 cells L-1) and Microcystis botrys (9×105 cells L-1). Dolichospermum planctonicum was always present at low densities (104 cells L-1). MCs were detected, at values well below the 1 µg L-1 threshold of WHO for drinking water. The molecular analysis of mcyB gene for P. rubescens indicated the presence of a persistent toxic population (average 0.45 mcyB/16S rDNA). Highly significant linear regressions were found between P. rubescens and the sum of the demethylated MC variants, and between M. botrys and the sum of MC-LR and MC-LA, also when co-occurring, suggesting that these two species were responsible for different MC patterns production. The regression lines indicated a quite stable MC cell quota. However, in some spotted samples very different values were obtained for both MC concentrations and cell quota (from 10-fold lower to 30-40-fold higher than the ‘average’) showing an unexpected significant variability in the rate of toxin production. The relatively low cell densities during the monitoring period is consistent with the low-to absent MC contamination level found in trout muscle; however, the analytical method was affected by low recovery, probably due to MC-protein binding. Our results show that, during the study period, no risk of exposure for the human and animal population occurred. However, the persistence of a complex CB community characterised by a significant toxic fraction suggests the need for periodic monitoring activity. Particularly, the hidden deep summer P. rubescens blooms, located where water is taken for drinking water supply, and M. botrys, able to produce the most toxic MC variants with high cell quota, should be kept under control. The documentation and interpretation of sudden changes in toxins concentrations deserve special attention. This is particularly relevant in proximity of fish farming plants and water catchment sites.

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“…Different brands (17) of BGAS products available on the Italian market were sampled to detect and quantify MCs (Vichi et al, 2012). Almost all of the A. flos aquae-containing products were contaminated with cyanotoxins, with approximately 40% having total MCs levels exceeding 1 μg/g, the guidance value for BGAS proposed by Oregon Dept.…”

Section: Description Of the Issuementioning

confidence: 99%

Annual report of the Emerging Risks Exchange Network 2013

2014

EFSA Supporting Publications

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EFSA established an Emerging Risks Exchange Network (EREN) to exchange information between EFSA and the MSs on possible emerging risks for food and feed safety in 2010. The Network is currently composed of delegates from 21 Member States and an EFTA country (Norway) designated through the Advisory Forum of EFSA and observers from the European Commission, EU pre-accession countries, the Food and Drug Administration of the USA (FDA) and the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). The Network met three times during 2013. The Network discussed a total of 16 signals of potential emerging issues that were presented and assessed using a standard template developed by the Scientific Committee and Emerging Risks unit of EFSA. Out of these signals, 10 originated from EFSA and six from Member States. The issues discussed were from the areas of microbiological hazards, biotoxins, chemical hazards, illegal activity, new consumer consumption trends, new technologies and processes, animal health, environmental pollution, new analytical methods and new food packaging technology. The issues that merit further consideration will be discussed by EFSA's Scientific Committee Standing Working Group on Emerging Risks.

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Contamination by Microcystis and microcystins of blue–green algae food supplements (BGAS) on the italian market and possible risk for the exposed population

Cited by 88 publications

References 33 publications

Emerging health issues of cyanobacterial blooms

Emerging health issues of cyanobacterial blooms

Cyanobacterial dynamics and toxins concentrations in Lake Alto Flumendosa, Sardinia, Italy

Annual report of the Emerging Risks Exchange Network 2013

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