Preliminary characterization of a toxin isolated from the cyanobacterium Nodularia spumigena.
A peptide toxin was isolated from the cyanobacterium Nodularia spumigena by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The i.p. LD50 of the toxin was 50 micrograms/kg mouse with death within 1-3 hr. The major effects of the toxin were seen in the liver in the form of extensive haemorrhages. Amino acid analysis showed the presence of equimolar amounts of glutamic acid, beta-methyl-aspartic acid, and arginine. The toxicological and some of the chemical properties of the isolated toxin were similar to those reported for hepatotoxins isolated from the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa.
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000032:analysis*; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D008387:Marine Toxins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity*; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D013055:Spectrophotometry, Infrared; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
D000596:Amino Acids; D008387:Marine Toxins