Human exposure to cyanobacteria and BMAA.
Cyanobacteria are found worldwide, primarily in aquatic habitats. They are increasing in abundance as a result of increasing nutrient inputs from various human activities. Recent data indicate that most cyanobacteria produce the neurotoxin beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), and this toxin can biomagnify UP some food chains to rather high concentrations in animals used as food by humans. BMAA may pose an increasing human health risk.
Brand
Larry E
LE
Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, Florida 33149, USA. LBrand@rsmas.miami.edu
D000599:Amino Acids, Diamino / Q000633:toxicity*; D000600:Amino Acids, Dicarboxylic / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*; D017753:Ecosystem; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000737:chemistry; D020387:Food Chain; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000378:metabolism; D012621:Seasons
D000599:Amino Acids, Diamino; D000600:Amino Acids, Dicarboxylic; D009498:Neurotoxins; C064612:alpha-N-carboxy-beta-N-methylaminoalanine; D010758:Phosphorus; D009584:Nitrogen