title: Characterisation of biotoxins produced by a cyanobacteria bloom in Lake Averno using two LC-MS-based techniques.
abstract: Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) cause blooms in eutrophic lakes and drinking water reservoirs. They also produce biotoxins, including microcystins (MCs), highly toxic cyclic heptapeptides that cause poisoning in animals and human. In this paper, we present a method for the analysis of four MCs by ion trap LC-MS and MALDI-TOF/MS. The data are compared to evaluate the performance and reliability of the different MS detection systems. The method was applied to the analysis of water and algae samples from Lake Averno, near Naples, as a consequence of a cyanobacteria bloom. The analysis of algae cell extracts showed no contamination by known microcystins, but the three main substances were detected. MALDI-TOF/MS was successful for screening of the biotoxins in the samples, identifying anabaenopeptin B and anabaenopeptin F as the major contaminants on the basis of literature mass spectrometry data. The structure of the third compound was not identified and is under further investigation. The method could characterise the biotoxins produced in Lake Averno for evaluating health risks related to their presence.
authors.affiliation: University of Naples, Portici, NA, Italy.
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ferranti
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fabbrocino
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Cerulo
authors.forename: Milena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bruno
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Serpe
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gallo
mesh_terms: D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods; D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000378:metabolism*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000382:microbiology*; D057097:Harmful Algal Bloom; D007558:Italy; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods; D052998:Microcystins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic / Q000032:analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / Q000379:methods; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D052998:Microcystins; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C496665:anabaenopeptin B; C436355:anabaenopeptin F