Thaíssa Giovanna Valverde Camposa, 1, Watson A. Gamab, 1, Vanessa Geraldesa, c, Jaewon Yoona, Camila M. Crnkovica, Ernani Pintoa, c, Fernanda Rios Jacinaviciusa, c
a University of São Paulo, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Avenida Prof. Lineu Prestes, 580, Butantã, CEP 05508-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
b Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manuel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, CEP 52171-900, Recife, PE, Brazil
c Centre for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, CEP 13418-260, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
b Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manuel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, CEP 52171-900, Recife, PE, Brazil
c Centre for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, CEP 13418-260, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
Highlights
- Microcystis aeruginosa and Raphidiopsis raciborskii are the key contributors.
- This work led to the identification of six cyanotoxin groups in Brazil.
- There is an absence of cyanotoxin data in 9 out of 26 Brazilian states.
- Benthic cyanobacteria produce unknown bioactive compounds toxic to Artemia salina.
- Most of the cyanotoxins detections come from reservoir studies (80 %).
Abstract
Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms (CyanoHABs) pose a significant threat to communities globally, impacting ecosystems and public health. This study provides an in-depth review of the current state of cyanotoxins and the distribution of CyanoHABs species in Brazil, while also detailing the methods used for their detection. Four hundred and twenty-one incidents were analyzed from 1993 to 2021, compiling cyanotoxin records and toxic CyanoHABs occurrences. The investigation begins with the first detection of microcystins in 1994 and highlights pivotal moments, like the 1996 “Caruaru Syndrome” outbreak. This event encouraged research and updated cyanotoxin-monitoring guidelines. The Brazilian drought period of 2015–2016 exacerbated cyanobacterial growth and saxitoxin levels, coinciding with Zika-related microcephaly. This study delves into methods used for cyanotoxin analysis, including ELISA, bioassays, HPLC, and LC-MS. Additionally, we investigated the toxicity of 37 cyanobacterial strains isolated from various Brazilian environments. Extracts were tested against Artemia salina and analyzed by LC-MS. Results revealed toxicity in extracts from 49 % of cyanobacterial strains. LC-MS results were analyzed using GNPS MS/MS molecular networking for comparing experimental spectra with those of cyanotoxin standards against in-house databases and the existing literature. Our research underscores the variability in cyanotoxin production among species and over time, extending beyond microcystins. LC-MS results, interpreted through the GNPS platform, revealed six cyanotoxin groups in Brazilian strains. Yet, compounds present in 75 % of the toxic extracts remained unidentified. Further research is crucial for fully comprehending the impact of potentially harmful organisms on water quality and public health management strategies. The study highlights the urgent need for continuously monitoring cyanobacteria and the cyanotoxin inclusion of management in public health policies.
Keywords
Cyanotoxins; GNPS; LC-MS/MS; Toxicity; Artemia salina
