Determination of microcystin variants and related peptides present in a water bloom of Planktothrix (Oscillatoria) rubescens in a Spanish drinking water reservoir by LC/ESI-MS

Ecotoxicologically relevant cyclic peptides from cyanobacterial bloom (Planktothrix rubescens) - a threat to human and environmental health

“…40 However there is also evidence that the predominating anabolism of defined bioactive cyclic peptides is not linked exclusively to cyanobacterial species and genera, but that their synthesis can be affected by geographical trends. 42 The production of microcystins in P. rubescens blooms in Slovenia is high, which correlates well with the most recent data on toxin content from other locations. 44 The co-occurring non-toxic peptides, as well as the microcystin variants, were similar regardless of geographical provenance e.g.…”

“…The main microcystin is almost always MC-RR, with its de-methylated variant, together with anabaenopeptins B and F and micropeptin representatives. 15,38,39,40,41,42 The microcystin composition in field populations of a single species changes little over time, as long as dominance of the particular species persists. 40 However there is also evidence that the predominating anabolism of defined bioactive cyclic peptides is not linked exclusively to cyanobacterial species and genera, but that their synthesis can be affected by geographical trends.…”

“…. 42 Thus, in the case of Planktothrix rubescens, the anabolism of cyclic peptides is linked primarily to the species and depends less on ecological factors.…”

Cyanobacterial abundance and microcystin occurrence in Mediterranean water reservoirs in Central Spain: microcystins in the Madrid area

“…There have been few reports of microcystins in the Mediterranean region (Cook et al, 2004) and information about the prevalence of microcystin in Spanish reservoirs is particularly scarce (Barco et al, 2004;Quesada et al, 2004;Aboal & Puig, 2005). Our data, together with previously published data (Barco et al, 2004) obtained from another reservoir of the region, and from the Santillana reservoir (Gordo et al, 1999;Sanchis et al, 2002) indicate that potentially toxic cyanobacteria, cyanobacterial blooms and microcystins are common in the Madrid region.…”

“…e-mail: antonio.quesada@uam.es (Quesada et al, 2004). However, the prevalence of microcystin in Spanish waterbodies has been thoroughly investigated only recently (Bradt & Villena, 2001;Almodovar et al, 2004;Barco et al, 2004;Quesada et al, 2004;Aboal & Puig, 2005). Many Spanish reservoirs have elevated trophic levels (Avile´s & Gonza´lez, 1975;CEDEX, 1995).…”