Article
Microbiology
Zoran Marinovic, Nada Tokodi, Damjana Drobac Backovic, Ilija Scekic, Nevena Kitanovic, Snezana B. Simic, Nevena B. Dordevic, Arpad Ferincz, Adam Staszny, Tamara Dulic, Jussi Meriluoto, Bela Urbanyi, Jelena Lujic, Zorica Svircev
Summary: Lake Balaton, the largest shallow lake in Central Europe, is affected by the Zala River. The Kis-Balaton Water Protection System (KBWPS) was constructed to improve water quality, but toxic cyanobacterial blooms were still observed. The KBWPS acts as a significant buffering zone, protecting the water quality of Lake Balaton. Regular monitoring of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in this ecosystem is crucial.
Article
Microbiology
Brenda Y. Hernandez, Jason Biggs, Xuemei Zhu, Patrick Sotto, Michelle Nagata, Ana Joy Pacilan Mendez, Yvette Paulino
Summary: A study conducted in Guam found higher levels of cyanobacterial hepatotoxins in individuals who primarily used municipal tap water as their drinking water source and did not use store-bought water. Urine levels of cyanotoxins were also higher in individuals who consumed fruits and vegetables exclusively from local sources.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Brenda Y. Hernandez, Xuemei Zhu, Patrick Sotto, Yvette Paulino
Summary: The study found that Cyanobacteria were predominant in Areca catechu and Piper betle plants, with low levels detected in oral samples but significantly higher in current AN/BQ chewers. Potential hepatotoxins like microcystin/nodularin, cylindrospermopsin, and anabaenopeptin were detected in saliva and plant samples, suggesting Cyanobacteria contamination in AN/BQ plants and exposure to chewers. This has broad implications for cancer risk globally as Cyanobacteria overgrowth increases.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Faizan Saleem, Jennifer L. Jiang, Rachelle Atrache, Athanasios Paschos, Thomas A. Edge, Herb E. Schellhorn
Summary: Cyanobacteria can form harmful algal blooms in eutrophic freshwater ecosystems, posing a threat to wildlife, public health, and recreational waters. Molecular methods are increasingly recommended for the detection and quantification of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins. However, each molecular detection method has its own advantages and limitations for monitoring algal blooms. Integration of modern technologies such as satellite imaging, biosensors, and machine learning/artificial intelligence can help overcome these limitations.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Victoria G. Christensen, Hayley T. Olds, Jack Norland, Eakalak Khan
Summary: This study investigated cyanobacteria and 19 cyanotoxins in Kabetogama Lake (USA). Seven out of 19 toxins were detected in various combinations, with Anabaenopeptin A and B being detected in every sample. The detection frequency of Microcystin-YR was higher than that of Microcystin-LR, but the concentrations were generally low. Anabaenopeptins were found to correlate with six cyanobacterial taxa, while the potential toxin producing cyanobacteria, Microcystis, was significantly correlated to microcystin-YR.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Brenda Y. Hernandez, Xuemei Zhu, Michelle Nagata, Lenora Loo, O. Chan, Linda L. Wong
Summary: Cyanobacteria, found worldwide in aquatic and terrestrial environments, can produce hepatotoxins. Human exposure to cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins mainly occurs through contaminated drinking water and food sources. A study on HCC patients in Hawaii showed that cyanotoxins were present in all the patients, with the highest levels in cases related to metabolic risk factors such as hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes, and fatty liver disease. Cyanotoxin levels were correlated with tumor expression of genes associated with lipid metabolism. This study suggests that dysregulation of lipid metabolism and progression of hepatic steatosis may play a role in the pathogenesis of HCC.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cecilio Valadez-Cano, Kristen Hawkes, Rossella Calvaruso, Adrian Reyes-Prieto, Janice Lawrence
Summary: This study investigated the potential for cyanotoxin and other bioactive metabolite production in two lakes in Atlantic Canada using PCR and metagenomic approaches. The results showed the presence of potential microcystin and anatoxin-a production in both lakes. The metagenomic analysis also revealed the genetic information of a Microcystis aeruginosa genome capable of producing various bioactive compounds. These findings provide important baseline data for future studies on lakes affected by cyanobacterial blooms.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kevin J. Erratt, Irena F. Creed, Erika C. Freeman, Charles G. Trick, Judy Westrick, Johnna A. Birbeck, L. Cynthia Watson, Arthur Zastepa
Summary: The risk of human exposure to cyanotoxins is influenced by the location of toxin-producing cyanobacteria in waterbodies. A case study of Sunfish Lake in Ontario, Canada, revealed a deep cyanobacteria layer with toxins. Multiple toxigenic cyanobacteria species were identified in the deep layer. Monitoring the entire water column can help identify waterbodies at elevated risk for deep cyanobacteria layers to protect drinking water supplies.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Franziska Bauer, Immanuel Wolfschlaeger, Juergen Geist, Jutta Fastner, Carina Wiena Schmalz, Uta Raeder
Summary: This study analyzed the benthic and planktic forms of cyanobacterial communities in 34 lakes in Germany. It found that 35% of the lakes had benthic mats consisting mainly of Nostocales and Oscillatoriales. The most abundant cyanotoxin in benthic samples was Anatoxin, while microcystin was predominant in open-water samples. These findings suggest the need to strengthen monitoring of benthic cyanobacteria and their toxins.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Luisa F. Caly, Diana C. Rodriguez, Gustavo A. Penuela
Summary: Anthropogenic pollution and global climate change have increased the frequency and duration of cyanobacterial blooms in aquatic systems. Cyanobacteria produce cyanotoxins, which are a global concern for human and animal health. A year-long study of a Colombian reservoir found cyanobacteria and four cyanotoxins present in at least six of the seven sampling stations. However, the concentration of toxins detected was below the guideline value set by the WHO for one of the toxins.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Justin Rorar, Laura Davila Garcia, Teresa Cutright
Summary: This study investigated the removal efficiency of cyanotoxins by powdered activated carbon (PAC) and found that higher PAC doses led to higher cyanotoxin removals. It was also demonstrated that PAC can effectively remove multiple cyanotoxins in water with pH values between 6 and 9.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gabriele Costa dos Reis, Gustavo Henrique A. de Carvalho, Mauro Cesar Palmeira Vilar, Sandra Maria Feliciano de Oliveira e Azevedo, Aloysio da Silva Ferrao-Filho
Summary: Changes in food quality, especially in eutrophic water bodies with dominant cyanobacteria, can negatively affect zooplankton fitness. The exposure of neotropical Daphnia species to saxitoxin-producing cyanobacteria impairs feeding rates and fitness, regardless of the availability of nutritious algae. The study emphasizes the adverse effects of cyanobacteria and the importance of nutritional quality in determining zooplankton fitness. Overall rating: 8/10.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Jingqiu Dai, Casey S. Philbin, Clay Wakano, Wesley Y. Yoshida, Philip G. Williams
Summary: Six new nostocyclophanes and four known compounds have been isolated from Nostoc linckia (Nostocaceae) cyanobacterial strain UTEX B1932. The new compounds were characterized by NMR and MS techniques. These compounds demonstrated moderate to weak growth inhibition against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells.
Article
Microbiology
Gisella Lamas-Samanamud, Armando Montante III, Andrea Mertins, Duc Phan, Carla Loures, Fabiano Naves, Tony Reeves, Heather J. Shipley
Summary: This study investigates the potential role of quorum sensing in mediating the interaction between Microcystis aeruginosa and heterotrophic bacteria. The luxS and mcyB genes in M. aeruginosa PCC7806 were examined, and it was found that luxS gene expression is consistent in algal bloom scenarios, while mcyB gene expression is related to cyanotoxin production rather than algal blooms.
Review
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Maruthanayagam Veerabadhran, Nagarajan Manivel, Barathkumar Sarvalingam, Boopathi Seenivasan, Hemalatha Srinivasan, MubarakAli Davoodbasha, Fei Yang
Summary: Cyanobacteria are widely distributed in freshwater and marine environments worldwide, and their toxins have harmful effects on health. Microcystins, the toxic metabolites produced by cyanobacteria, cause significant damage to cells, influencing the morphological, biochemical, physiological, and genetic status of the host. Microcystins also have detrimental effects on animals, plants, agriculture, public health, ecotoxicology, and economic consequences. Comprehensive cellular assessment could provide opportunities for therapeutic implications.
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Fernando Pagels, Cintia Almeida, Vitor Vasconcelos, A. Catarina Guedes
Summary: This study evaluated the potential of marine cyanobacterium extracts as natural and sustainable ingredients in cosmetics. The extracts showed no cytotoxicity and demonstrated anti-hyaluronidase and anti-collagenase capacities, making them promising natural anti-aging ingredients. However, stability was lower at higher temperatures.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Walid Zeghbib, Fares Boudjouan, Vitor Vasconcelos, Graciliana Lopes
Summary: In this study, a summary of the different classes of phenolic compounds found in Opuntia species so far is provided, and their implications in the inflammatory process are explored. The use of cactus in folk medicine is supported, and its socio-economic value is evaluated.
Article
Microbiology
Claudia Vilo, Qunfeng Dong, Alexandra Galetovic, Benito Gomez-Silva
Summary: The microbiome of edible Llayta, macrocolonies of cyanobacterial found in Andean wetlands, has been explored through a culture-independent approach. The study identified and reconstructed the metagenomic genome of Cyanocohniella sp. LLY associated with Llayta trichomes. This is the first genome available for members of this genus and provides new insights into their metabolic capabilities.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Ines Pascoa, Rita Biltes, Joao Sousa, Marco Aurelio Correia Preto, Vitor Vasconcelos, Luis Filipe Castro, Raquel Ruivo, Isabel Cunha
Summary: Cyanobacteria produce secondary metabolites that can act as ligands for PPARs, making them a potential source of bioactive compounds. A cell-based PPAR transactivation activity biosensor was upgraded and used in a screening campaign for drug discovery.
Article
Microbiology
Camila Salazar-Ardiles, Alexander Perez-Arancibia, Leyla Asserella-Rebollo, Benito Gomez-Silva
Summary: Significant knowledge has been gained about the microbiome in the hyperarid Atacama Desert, but information on the Atacama free-living amoebae (FLA) is limited and more efforts are needed. The dominant presence of Acanthamoeba genus has been reported in water and sediment samples from the Loa and Salado rivers in northern Chile, indicating the need for further exploration of Atacama amoebae in other wetlands in the region.
Article
Microbiology
Ines Rosado Vitorino, Alexandre Lobo-da-Cunha, Vitor Vasconcelos, Olga Maria Lage
Summary: In this study, a novel bacterium, strain ICT_H6.2(T), was isolated from the brackish environment of the Tagus River estuary in Portugal. Through genetic analysis, it was classified as a member of the bacterial phylum Planctomycetota and family Lacipirellulaceae, with a 98.0% similarity to its closest relative Aeoliella mucimassa Pan181(T). The strain has a genome size of 7.8 Mbp and a DNA G+C content of 59.6 mol %. It is heterotrophic, aerobic and capable of microaerobic growth, and can tolerate high salt concentrations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Samuel Cavalcante do Amaral, Luciana Pereira Xavier, Vitor Vasconcelos, Agenor Valadares Santos
Summary: Cyanobacteria are a valuable source of secondary metabolites with diverse chemical and biological properties, including antifungal activity. This review examines the key features of these antifungal compounds, their sources, major targets, and the environmental factors involved in their production. A comprehensive analysis of 642 documents dating from 1980 to 2022, including patents, original research, review articles, and theses, was conducted for this study.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Maria G. Hinojosa, Antonio Cascajosa-Lira, Ana I. Prieto, Daniel Gutierrez-Praena, Vitor Vasconcelos, Angeles Jos, Ana M. Camean
Summary: The incidence and interest of cyanobacteria have been increasing due to their ability to produce toxic secondary metabolites known as cyanotoxins. This study assessed the cytotoxicity and oxidative stress generation of different cyanobacterial extracts, and compared the effects of extracts containing and not containing cylindrospermopsin (CYN) in human neuroblastoma cells. The results showed that the CYN-containing extract was more toxic and induced oxidative stress compared to the CYN-free extract. This study highlights the importance of studying toxic effects of cyanobacteria in their natural environment.
Article
Biology
Martha Martinez-Garcia, Gloria Garduno-Solorzano, Graciliana Lopes, Begona Astrain Sanchez, Ralph Urbatzka, Guilherme Scotta Hentschke, Jorge E. Campos, Vitor Manuel Oliveira Vasconcelos
Summary: Using molecular markers, we confirmed the taxonomic status of Bacopa monnieri from Mexico and analyzed its chemical content and potential bioactivity. The results show that B. monnieri has great potential as a natural source of compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity properties. This plant's raw material can be effectively used as a nutritional and medicinal supplement.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ruben Luz, Rita Cordeiro, Jan Kastovsky, Jeffrey R. Johansen, Elisabete Dias, Amelia Fonseca, Ralph Urbatzka, Vitor Vasconcelos, Vitor Goncalves
Summary: This study described new genera and species of filamentous cyanobacteria isolated from aquatic habitats in the Azores archipelago through morphology, genetic data, and other analyses. It emphasizes the importance of taxonomic studies on cyanobacteria from less-studied habitats and geographical regions.
JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ana Margarida Silva, Marco Preto, Clara Grosso, Monica Vieira, Cristina Delerue-Matos, Vitor Vasconcelos, Mariana Reis, Lillian Barros, Rosario Martins
Summary: Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease that causes a decline in cognitive functions. It is the most common form of dementia and has no well-defined cause. Current treatments only manage to reduce symptoms, and there are only two drugs that can partially halt its progression. Natural compounds from mushrooms have been studied for their potential use in AD treatment due to their beneficial effects on various AD-related mechanisms such as enzyme inhibition, prevention of protein aggregation and neurotoxicity, and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. While there have been studies linking mushrooms to neurodegenerative diseases, there is currently no publication summarizing the data specifically focused on AD. This review aims to fill that gap by compiling the potential anti-AD effects of mushroom extracts or compounds that target known AD-related mechanisms.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ruben Luz, Rita Cordeiro, Jan Kastovsky, Jeffrey R. Johansen, Elisabete Dias, Amelia Fonseca, Ralph Urbatzka, Vitor Vasconcelos, Vitor Goncalves
Summary: The taxonomy of cyanobacteria has been advanced through the use of molecular methods and morphology. In this study, four cyanobacterial strains from the Azores Archipelago were genetically characterized and classified as new species and genera. This research contributes to the understanding of the biogeography of cyanobacteria in remote oceanic islands and new terrestrial habitats.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vitoria Ramos, Mariana Reis, Leonor Ferreira, Ana Margarida Silva, Ricardo Ferraz, Monica Vieira, Vitor Vasconcelos, Rosario Martins
Summary: Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by progressive and irreversible neuronal loss, and there are currently no available cures. Cyanobacterial compounds have anti-neurodegenerative properties and can be valuable in the field of treatment.
Article
Microbiology
Lamia Benredjem, Joao Morais, Guilherme Scotta Hentschke, Akila Abdi, Hajira Berredjem, Vitor Vasconcelos
Summary: This study isolated and identified cyanobacteria strains from the Cheffia Reservoir, revealing the importance of morphological features and the 16S rRNA gene in species determination. The research also discovered potentially toxic genotypes within this ecosystem, highlighting the need for adapted water treatment methods to prevent toxin release from picocyanobacteria.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Maria Joao Romeu, Joao Morais, Vitor Vasconcelos, Filipe Mergulhao
Summary: This study evaluated the effect of hydrogen peroxide on cyanobacterial biofilms and found that these biofilms were tolerant to hydrogen peroxide treatment, which may even lead to an increase in biomass.
