First report of microcystin-LR in the cyanobacterium Gloeotrichia echinulata.
Gloeotrichia echinulata is a bloom-forming cyanobacterium that is common in eutrophic lakes, and less prevalent but increasing in oligotrophic lakes. We used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis to test for the presence of the hepatotoxin microcystin-LR (MC-LR) in G. echinulata collected from an oligotrophic lake in central New Hampshire, USA. We found that G. echinulata contained MC-LR at mean concentrations of 97.07 +/- 7.78 (1 s.e.) ng MC-LR g(-1) dry wt colonies. This suggests that recent outbreaks of G. echinulata in oligotrophic lakes used as water sources throughout New England (USA) may pose a health concern. The toxicity of G. echinulata reported here suggests the need for future monitoring of microcystins in oligotrophic lakes.
Carey
Cayelan C
CC
Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA. cayelan.carey@ebc.uu.se
Haney
James F
JF
Cottingham
Kathryn L
KL
D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D008387:Marine Toxins; D052998:Microcystins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014871:Water Microbiology
D008387:Marine Toxins; D052998:Microcystins; C057862:cyanoginosin LR