Feasibility study on production of a matrix reference material for cyanobacterial toxins.
The worldwide increase in cyanobacterial contamination of freshwater lakes and rivers is of great concern as many cyanobacteria produce potent hepatotoxins and neurotoxins (cyanotoxins). Such toxins pose a threat to aquatic ecosystems, livestock, and drinking water supplies. In addition, dietary supplements prepared from cyanobacteria can pose a risk to consumers if they contain toxins. Analytical monitoring for toxins in the environment and in consumer products is essential for the protection of public health. Reference materials (RMs) are an essential tool for the development and validation of analytical methods and are necessary for ongoing quality control of monitoring operations. Since the availability of appropriate RMs for cyanotoxins has been very limited, the present study was undertaken to examine the feasibility of producing a cyanobacterial matrix RM containing various cyanotoxins. The first step was large-scale culturing of various cyanobacterial cultures that produce anatoxins, microcystins, and cylindrospermopsins. After harvesting, the biomass was lyophilized, blended, homogenized, milled, and bottled. The moisture content and physical characteristics were assessed in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the production process. Toxin levels were measured by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry and ultraviolet detection. The reference material was found to be homogeneous for toxin content. Stability studies showed no significant degradation of target toxins over a period of 310 days at temperatures up to +40 °C except for the anatoxin-a, which showed some degradation at +40 °C. These results show that a fit-for-purpose matrix RM for cyanotoxins can be prepared using the processes and techniques applied in this work.
Measurement Science and Standards, Biotoxin Metrology, National Research Council of Canada, 1411 Oxford Street, Halifax, NS, B3H 3Z1, Canada.
Christie
C
Hollingdale
Krista
K
Thomas
Nancy
N
Lewis
Khalida
K
Békri
Pearse
P
McCarron
Michael A
MA
Quilliam
D000470:Alkaloids; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000032:analysis / Q000592:standards*; D018533:Biomass; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000737:chemistry*; D000087522:Cyanobacteria Toxins; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005612:Freeze Drying; D008387:Marine Toxins / Q000032:analysis / Q000592:standards*; D052998:Microcystins / Q000032:analysis / Q000592:standards*; D012015:Reference Standards; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D014326:Tropanes / Q000032:analysis / Q000592:standards*; D014498:Uracil / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis / Q000592:standards
D000470:Alkaloids; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D000087522:Cyanobacteria Toxins; D008387:Marine Toxins; D052998:Microcystins; D014326:Tropanes; C089595:cylindrospermopsin; D014498:Uracil; C509783:anatoxin a