Microcystin Contamination and Toxicity: Implications for Agriculture and Public Health

Abstract

Microcystins are natural hepatotoxic metabolites secreted by cyanobacteria in aquatic ecosystems. When present at elevated concentrations, microcystins can affect water quality aesthetics; contaminate drinking water reservoirs and recreational waters; disrupt normal ecosystem functioning; and cause health hazards to animals, plants, and humans. Animal and human exposures to microcystins generally result from ingesting contaminated drinking water or physically contacting tainted water. Much research has identified a multitude of liver problems from oral exposure to microcystins, varying from hepatocellular damage to primary liver cancer. Provisional guidelines for microcystins in drinking and recreational water have been established to prevent toxic exposures and protect public health. With increasing occurrences of eutrophication in freshwater systems, microcystin contamination in groundwater and surface waters is growing, posing threats to aquatic and terrestrial plants and agricultural soils used for crop production. These microcystins are often transferred to crops via irrigation with local sources of water, such as bloom-forming lakes and ponds. Microcystins can survive in high quantities in various parts of plants (roots, stems, and leaves) due to their high chemical stability and low molecular weight, increasing health risks for consumers of agricultural products. Studies have indicated potential health risks associated with contaminated fruits and vegetables sourced from irrigated water containing microcystins. This review considers the exposure risk to humans, plants, and the environment due to the presence of microcystins in local water reservoirs used for drinking and irrigation. Additional studies are needed to understand the specific health impacts associated with the consumption of microcystin-contaminated agricultural plants.

The potential of facultative predatory Actinomycetota spp. and prospects in agricultural sustainability

“…The presence of such molecules can affect the functionality of ecosystems and water quality for recreation, drinking water, fisheries, and agriculture ( O’Neil et al, 2012 ; Corbel et al, 2014 ). In the agriculture field, several publications have appeared in recent years documenting the bioaccumulation of cyanotoxins in plants used for human and animal food ( Corbel et al, 2014 ; Machado et al, 2017 ; Ai et al, 2020 ; Melaram et al, 2022 ). Consequently, several physical, chemical, and biological strategies were deployed to control cyanobacterial bloom ( Jia et al, 2018 ; Sun et al, 2018 ; Yu Y. et al, 2019 ; El Amrani Zerrifi et al, 2020 ).…”

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Algicidal Mechanism of Brevibacillus laterosporus against Microcystis aeruginosa through Multiple Metabolic Pathways

“…Microcystis aeruginosa , a common cyanobacteria species in aquatic ecosystems, can release microcystins, endangering the health and quality of cultured fish and shrimps. When a large number of M. aeruginosa accumulates in surface water, the transparency and dissolved oxygen levels of water decrease, which will further cause hypoxia and even the death of the aquatic animals [ 2 ]. Therefore, finding an effective method to control cyanobacteria blooms in aquatic ecosystems is crucial.…”

Microcystin-LR in Primary Liver Cancers: An Overview

“…Contamination with harmful cyanobacterial blooms has become a serious environmental issue around the world [ 1 ]. Cyantoxins are essentially endotoxins that are released in water following cellular lysing or treatment with algaecides [ 2 , 3 ].…”