Surveillance Plan of Lipophilic Marine Biotoxins in Molluscs from the Croatian Coast

Abstract In the present study, a 4-year surveillance plan for the detection of lipophilic marine biotoxins in Mytilus galloprovincialis and Callista chione from different aquaculture farms and natural beds along the Central Adriatic coasts of Croatia was reported. The samples were analyzed by a validated LC-MS/MS method in accordance with the Regulation (EU) No 2019/627. Lipophilic marine biotoxins belonging to the okadaic acid group, except for azaspiracids, as well as yessotoxins were found at different concentrations, always below the maximum limits established by the Regulation (EC) No 853/2004. The seasonal distribution showed the highest values in summer months, and an interannual variability was also observed, probably due to environmental conditions aging on the density of harmful algal blooms. The comprehensive data reported in this study should help the future research in making advancing prediction models along the Eastern Adriatic coast.

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First report of detection of microcystins in farmed mediterranean mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis in Thermaikos gulf in Greece

Journal of Biological Research-Thessaloniki ◽

10.1186/s40709-021-00139-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Maria P. Kalaitzidou ◽

Christina I. Nannou ◽

Dimitra A. Lambropoulou ◽

Konstantinos V. Papageorgiou ◽

Alexandros M. Theodoridis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Harmful Algal Blooms ◽

Algal Blooms ◽

High Performance ◽

Mytilus Galloprovincialis ◽

Elisa Method ◽

Northern Greece ◽

Temporal And Spatial Distribution ◽

Coastal Marine ◽

Toxic Cyanobacteria ◽

Comparison Of The Results

Abstract Background Microcystins are emerging marine biotoxins, produced by potentially toxic cyanobacteria. Their presence has been reported in aquatic animals in Greek freshwater, while data are few in marine environments. Since the climate change induces eutrophication and harmful algal blooms in coastal marine ecosystems affecting the public health, further research on microcystins’ presence in marine waters is required. The aim of this study was to examine the potential presence of microcystins in mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis in the largest farming areas in Thermaikos gulf, in Northern Greece, and to investigate their temporal and spatial distribution, adding to the knowledge of microcystins presence in Greek Mediterranean mussels. Results A 4-year microcystins’ assessment was conducted from 2013 to 2016, in farmed Mediterranean mussels M. galloprovincialis, in five sampling areas in Thermaikos gulf, in northern Greece, where the 90% of the Greek mussels’ farming activities is located. The isolation of potentially toxic cyanobacteria was confirmed by molecular methods. An initial screening was performed with a qualitative and quantitative direct monoclonal (DM) ELISA and results above 1 ng g−1 were confirmed for the occurrence of the most common microcystins-RR, -LR and -YR, by Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with a high- resolution mass spectrometer (HRMS) (Orbitrap analyzer). Microcystin-RR and microcystin-LR were detected, while the intensity of microcystin-YR was below the method detection limit. Most samples that exhibited concentrations above 1 ng g-1 were detected during the warm seasons of the year and especially in spring. Results indicated an overestimation of the ELISA method, since concentrations ranged between 0.70 ± 0.15 ng g−1 and 53.90 ± 3.18 ng g−1, while the confirmation denoted that the levels of microcystins were 6 to 22 times lower. Conclusions Microcystin-RR and microcystin-LR were detected for the first time in mussel M. galloprovincialis, harvested from farms in Thermaikos gulf, in Central Macedonia, Greece. Their presence was linked to potentially toxic cyanobacteria. Bioaccumulation was observed in digestive gland, while the concentrations in muscles were found extremely low. Samples with levels above 1 ng g−1 were observed mostly during spring, confirming the seasonal distribution of microcystins. The comparison of the results by the ELISA and the LC-Orbitrap MS method indicated an overestimation of concentration by the ELISA method.

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A Scientometric Overview of Global Dinoflagellate Research

Publications ◽

10.3390/publications8040050 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 50

Author(s):

Carlos Yure B. Oliveira ◽

Cicero Diogo L. Oliveira ◽

Marius N. Müller ◽

Elizabeth P. Santos ◽

Danielli M. M. Dantas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Harmful Algal Blooms ◽

Algal Blooms ◽

Research Output ◽

Research Field ◽

Future Research ◽

Scientometric Analysis ◽

Fish Production ◽

Emerging Trends ◽

Basic Characteristics ◽

Number Of Publications

Understanding the evolution of scientific literature is a critical and necessary step for the development and strengthening of a research field. However, an overview of global dinoflagellate research remains unavailable. Herein, global dinoflagellate research output was analyzed based on a scientometric approach using the Scopus data archive. The basic characteristics and worldwide interactions of dinoflagellate research output were analyzed to determine the temporal evolution and new emerging trends. The results confirm that dinoflagellate research output, reflected in the number of publications, is a fast-growing area since the mid-1990s. In total, five research subareas emerged using a bibliometric keywords analysis: (1) “symbiosis with coral reefs”, (2) “phylogeny”, (3) “palynology”, (4) “harmful algal blooms” and (5) “nutrition strategies”. Dinoflagellate publications were modeled by fish production (both aquaculture and fisheries) and economic and social indexes. Finally, directions for future research are proposed and discussed. The presented scientometric analysis confirms that dinoflagellate research is an active and important area with focus on mitigating economic impacts, especially in regard to fish production.

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Assessment of the presence of lipophilic phycotoxins in scallops (Argopecten purpuratus) farmed along Peruvian coastal waters

Journal of Food Protection ◽

10.4315/jfp-20-212 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Vanessa Leyva ◽

Helena Maruenda

Keyword(s):

Coastal Waters ◽

Harmful Algal Blooms ◽

Algal Blooms ◽

Limit Of Quantification ◽

Systematic Assessment ◽

Bay Scallops ◽

Marine Biotoxins ◽

Lack Of Information ◽

Production Areas ◽

Low Prevalence

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are known to produce lipophilic marine biotoxins (LMTs) such as okadaic acid (OA) (and its analogues dinophysistoxins (DTXs)), yessotoxins (YTXs), pectenotoxins (PTXs), and azaspiracids (AZAs), all of which can accumulate in bivalve mollusks and exert noxious effects on humans. Health regulations indicate a limit up to 160 µg/kg for OA/DTXs, PTXs or AZAs, and 3.75 mg/kg for YTXs.Argopecten purpuratus is one of the most important commercial marine products exploited in Perú. Despite its importance and the periodic reports of the presence of HABs in Peruvian coastal waters, the lack of information regarding potential contamination by LMTs is noteworthy.In this work, we report a study performed with 115 samples of A. purpuratus collected between November 2013 and March 2015 from 18 scallop production areas distributed along the Peruvian coast in search of LMTs. To magnify positive results, the hepatopancreas tissue was analyzed by an LC-MS/MS method implemented to quantify OA, YTX, AZA-1, and PTX-2. Baseline separation was achieved in 19 min. The method showed satisfactory linearity (R 2 > 0.997), precision (coefficient of variation < 15 %), and limit of quantification (0.155-0.479 ng/mL). The study revealed the presence of YTX in 72 samples and of PTX-2 in 17 samples, with both biotoxins found at concentrations below the regulatory limits. Free OA and AZA-1 were not detected in any scallop sample. This atypical profile, presence of PTX-2 in the absence of OA, has been previously reported and may be linked to presence of the dinoflagellate D. acuminata . The production of YTX could be associated to the phytoplankton G. spinifera and P. reticulatum .This is the first systematic assessment of the four groups of LMTs in shellfish from Peruvian coastal waters. The results attained suggest low prevalence of marine biotoxins in Peruvian bay scallops yet support the necessity of future surveillance and analysis of LMTs in Perú.

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The Use of Biochar and Pyrolysed Materials to Improve Water Quality through Microcystin Sorption Separation

Water ◽

10.3390/w12102871 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (10) ◽

pp. 2871

Author(s):

Vladimír Frišták ◽

H. Dail Laughinghouse ◽

Stephen M. Bell

Keyword(s):

Harmful Algal Blooms ◽

Algal Blooms ◽

Cyanobacterial Blooms ◽

Future Research ◽

Aquatic Environments ◽

High Porosity ◽

Physiochemical Properties ◽

Blue Green Algae ◽

Effective Removal ◽

First Time

Harmful algal blooms have increased globally with warming of aquatic environments and increased eutrophication. Proliferation of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) and the subsequent flux of toxic extracellular microcystins present threats to public and ecosystem health and challenges for remediation and management. Although methods exist, there is currently a need for more environmentally friendly and economically and technologically feasible sorbents. Biochar has been proposed in this regard because of its high porosity, chemical stability, and notable sorption efficiency for removing of cyanotoxins. In light of worsening cyanobacterial blooms and recent research advances, this review provides a timely assessment of microcystin removal strategies focusing on the most pertinent chemical and physical sorbent properties responsible for effective removal of various pollutants from wastewater, liquid wastes, and aqueous solutions. The pyrolysis process is then evaluated for the first time as a method for sorbent production for microcystin removal, considering the suitability and sorption efficiencies of pyrolysed materials and biochar. Inefficiencies and high costs of conventional methods can be avoided through the use of pyrolysis. The significant potential of biochar for microcystin removal is determined by feedstock type, pyrolysis conditions, and the physiochemical properties produced. This review informs future research and development of pyrolysed materials for the treatment of microcystin contaminated aquatic environments.

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A Mini-Review on Detection Methods of Microcystins

Toxins ◽

10.3390/toxins12100641 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (10) ◽

pp. 641 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Isaac Yaw Massey ◽

Pian Wu ◽

Jia Wei ◽

Jiayou Luo ◽

Ping Ding ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Liquid Chromatography ◽

Harmful Algal Blooms ◽

Algal Blooms ◽

High Performance ◽

Detection Methods ◽

Future Research ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Mouse Bioassay ◽

Protein Phosphatase Inhibition ◽

Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs) produce microcystins (MCs) which are associated with animal and human hepatotoxicity. Over 270 variants of MC exist. MCs have been continually studied due of their toxic consequences. Monitoring water quality to assess the presence of MCs is of utmost importance although it is often difficult because CyanoHABs may generate multiple MC variants, and their low concentration in water. To effectively manage and control these toxins and prevent their health risks, sensitive, fast, and reliable methods capable of detecting MCs are required. This paper aims to review the three main analytical methods used to detect MCs ranging from biological (mouse bioassay), biochemical (protein phosphatase inhibition assay and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay), and chemical (high performance liquid chromatography, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, high performance capillary electrophoresis, and gas chromatography), as well as the newly emerging biosensor methods. In addition, the current state of these methods regarding their novel development and usage, as well as merits and limitations are presented. Finally, this paper also provides recommendations and future research directions towards method application and improvement.

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Use of biosensors for the detection of marine toxins

Essays in Biochemistry ◽

10.1042/ebc20150006 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 60 (1) ◽

pp. 49-58 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Daniel A. McPartlin ◽

Michael J. Lochhead ◽

Laurie B. Connell ◽

Gregory J. Doucette ◽

Richard J. O'Kennedy

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Economic Impact ◽

Harmful Algal Blooms ◽

Algal Blooms ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Detection Methods ◽

Global Effect ◽

Economic Implications ◽

Marine Biotoxins ◽

Exciting Area

Increasing occurrences of harmful algal blooms (HABs) in the ocean are a major concern for countries around the globe, and with strong links between HABs and climate change and eutrophication, the occurrences are only set to increase. Of particular concern with regard to HABs is the presence of toxin-producing algae. Six major marine biotoxin groups are associated with HABs. Ingestion of such toxins via contaminated shellfish, fish, or other potential vectors, can lead to intoxication syndromes with moderate to severe symptoms, including death in extreme cases. There are also major economic implications associated with the diverse effects of marine biotoxins and HABs. Thus, effective monitoring programmes are required to manage and mitigate their detrimental global effect. However, currently legislated detection methods are labour-intensive, expensive and relatively slow. The growing field of biosensor diagnostic devices is an exciting area that has the potential to produce robust, easy-to-use, cost-effective, rapid and accurate detection methods for marine biotoxins and HABs. This review discusses recently developed biosensor assays that target marine biotoxins and their microbial producers, both in harvested fish/shellfish samples and in the open ocean. The effective deployment of such biosensor platforms could address the pressing need for improved monitoring of HABs and marine biotoxins, and could help to reduce their global economic impact.

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Mining Natural Product Biosynthesis in Eukaryotic Algae

Marine Drugs ◽

10.3390/md18020090 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 90

Author(s):

Ellis O’Neill

Keyword(s):

Natural Products ◽

Natural Product ◽

Harmful Algal Blooms ◽

Algal Blooms ◽

Gene Clusters ◽

Future Research ◽

Eukaryotic Algae ◽

Cyclic Polyethers ◽

Automated Tools ◽

Bacteria And Fungi

Eukaryotic algae are an extremely diverse category of photosynthetic organisms and some species produce highly potent bioactive compounds poisonous to humans or other animals, most notably observed during harmful algal blooms. These natural products include some of the most poisonous small molecules known and unique cyclic polyethers. However, the diversity and complexity of algal genomes means that sequencing-based research has lagged behind research into more readily sequenced microbes, such as bacteria and fungi. Applying informatics techniques to the algal genomes that are now available reveals new natural product biosynthetic pathways, with different groups of algae containing different types of pathways. There is some evidence for gene clusters and the biosynthetic logic of polyketides enables some prediction of these final products. For other pathways, it is much more challenging to predict the products and there may be many gene clusters that are not identified with the automated tools. These results suggest that there is a great diversity of biosynthetic capacity for natural products encoded in the genomes of algae and suggest areas for future research focus.

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Internal phosphorus loading in Canadian fresh waters: a critical review and data analysis

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/cjfas-2016-0500 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 74 (12) ◽

pp. 2005-2029 ◽

Cited By ~ 49

Author(s):

Diane M. Orihel ◽

Helen M. Baulch ◽

Nora J. Casson ◽

Rebecca L. North ◽

Chris T. Parsons ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Harmful Algal Blooms ◽

Algal Blooms ◽

Anthropogenic Activities ◽

Open Water ◽

Freshwater Ecosystems ◽

Phosphorus Loading ◽

Environmental Drivers ◽

Future Research ◽

Fresh Waters ◽

Internal P Loading

Many physical, chemical, and biological processes in freshwater ecosystems mobilize the nutrient phosphorus (P) from sediments, which in turn may contribute to the formation of harmful algal blooms. Here, we critically reviewed internal P loading in Canadian fresh waters to understand the geographic patterns and environmental drivers of this important process. From 43 publications, we consolidated 618 estimates of internal P loading from Canadian freshwater ponds, lakes, reservoirs, and coastal wetlands (n = 70). Expressed in terms of total P, short-term gross rates in sediment samples (Lgross) ranged from −27 to 54 mg·m−2·day−1(n = 461), while long-term net rates in whole ecosystems (Lnet) ranged from −1694 to 10 640 mg·m−2·year−1(n = 157). The main environmental drivers of this variation were oxygen, pH, geology, and trophic state. Internal P loading tended to be higher during the open-water season and most prominent in small prairie lakes. Priorities for future research on internal P loading should include resolving methodological problems, assessing the relative importance of different mechanisms, examining the influence of anthropogenic activities, and quantifying rates in understudied ecosystems.

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Marine Biotoxins and Seafood Poisoning

Toxins ◽

10.3390/toxins11100558 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. 558

Author(s):

Pedro Reis Costa ◽

António Marques ◽

Jorge Diogène

Keyword(s):

Harmful Algal Blooms ◽

Algal Blooms ◽

Temporal Distribution ◽

Harmful Algae ◽

Marine Biotoxins ◽

Frequency Intensity

Prevalence of marine biotoxins in seafood has been associated with increasing frequency, intensity, and duration of harmful algal blooms, and an increase of the geographical and temporal distribution of harmful algae [...]

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