title: Cyanobacteria (Nostoc commune) used as a dietary item in the Peruvian highlands produce the neurotoxic amino acid BMAA.
abstract: In the mountains of Peru, globular colonies of Nostoc commune (Nostocales) are collected in the highland lakes by the indigenous people, who call them llullucha. They are consumed locally, traded for maize, or sold, eventually entering the folk markets of Cusco and other neighboring cities. Throughout highland Peru, Nostoc commune is highly salient as a seasonal dietary item, being eaten alone, or in picante -- a local stew -- and is said to be highly nutritious. Nostoc commune has been known to produce unusual amino acids, including those of the mycosporine group, which possibly function to prevent UV damage. We analyzed 21 different Nostoc commune spherical colonies from 7 different market collections in the Cusco area for the presence of beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), a neurotoxic amino acid produced by diverse taxa of cyanobacteria, using four different analytical techniques (HPLC-FD, UPLC-UV, UPLC/MS, LC/MS/MS). We found using all four techniques that BMAA was present in the samples purchased in the Peruvian markets. Since BMAA has been putatively linked to neurodegenerative illness, it would be of interest to know if the occurrence of ALS, Alzheimer's, or Parkinson's Disease is greater among individuals who consume llullucha in Peru.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Ethnomedicine, Jackson, WY 83001, USA.
authors.forename: Holly E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Steven R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Sandra Anne
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Banack
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Webster
authors.forename: Wilson Javier
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Callanaupa
authors.forename: Paul Alan
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Cox
mesh_terms: D000599:Amino Acids, Diamino / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods; D000087522:Cyanobacteria Toxins; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D050501:Nostoc commune / Q000737:chemistry*; D010568:Peru; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000599:Amino Acids, Diamino; D000087522:Cyanobacteria Toxins; D009498:Neurotoxins; C001824:beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine