Article
Microbiology
Elena Gorokhova, Rehab El-Shehawy, Maiju Lehtiniemi, Andrius Garbaras
Summary: The study found significant variability in the expression of mlrA genes in copepod guts between summer and winter, with Eurytemora affinis having higher abundance than Acartia bifilosa. The presence of mlrA genes in the copepod microbiome was shown to facilitate nutrient uptake and growth when feeding on phytoplankton mixtures containing nodularin-producing cyanobacteria, providing an adaptation mechanism to cyanobacteria blooms.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
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
Water Resources
Geofrey J. Mchau, Revocatus Machunda, Martin Kimanya, Edna Makule, Yun Yun Gong, Emmanuel Mpolya, Julie P. Meneely, Christopher T. Elliott, Brett Greer
Summary: The study conducted in Lake Victoria in Tanzania found the presence of multiple cyanotoxins in freshwater, with cylindrospermopsin being the most abundant toxin detected. Microcystins and anatoxin-a were also detected but in lower concentrations compared to cylindrospermopsin. This study highlights the potential health risks associated with the presence of cyanotoxins in freshwater environments.
EXPOSURE AND HEALTH
(2021)
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)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Drifa Yalaoui-Guellal, Samira Fella-Temzi, Salima Djafri-Dib, Sunil Kumar Sahu, Victor U. Irorere, Ibrahim M. Banat, Khodir Madani
Summary: A biosurfactant-producing and petroleum-degrading bacterium, identified as Alcaligenes aquatilis YGD 2906, was isolated from the sediments of Soummam river. The lipopeptide produced by this strain showed non-haemolytic activity, offering potential opportunities for biomedical applications. Further research is needed to optimize production and explore the antimicrobial properties of this lipopeptide.
Article
Microbiology
Steffaney M. Wood, Anke Kremp, Henna Savela, Sultana Akter, Vesa-Pekka Vartti, Saija Saarni, Sanna Suikkanen
Summary: Cyanobacterial akinetes can survive and germinate from sediment in the Northern Baltic Sea for over 40 to 400 years, with abundance and viability decreasing with age and depth of sediment layers. Phylogenetic analysis of cyanobacteria from coastal sediment cores suggested a prevalence of benthic Anabaena species. Akinetes do not play an equally significant role in the life cycles of all bloom-forming cyanobacteria in the Baltic Sea.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Julio Cesar Espana Amortegui, Heidi Pekar, Mark Dennis Chico Retrato, Malin Persson, Bengt Karlson, Jonas Bergquist, Aida Zuberovic-Muratovic
Summary: A LC-MS/MS method was developed for the simultaneous identification and quantification of cyanotoxins in edible bivalves. The method successfully detected and resolved two previously detected cyanotoxin congeners separately. The method showed limitations for certain cyanotoxins but overall was specific and robust for the parameters investigated. The method was applied to analyze mussel and oyster samples collected along the Swedish coast, and the results can contribute to future regulatory monitoring for cyanotoxins to ensure seafood safety.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Devesh Bhatt, Anjana Srivastava, P. C. Srivastava, Anita Sharma
Summary: This study evaluated the boscalid degradation ability of three novel soil bacterial strains isolated from pesticide-contaminated soil in India. Two of these bacterial isolates were able to degrade boscalid by 85-95% within 36 hours.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Chenlin Hu, Yanxia Zuo, Liang Peng, Nanqin Gan, Lirong Song
Summary: Microbial degradation plays a significant role in removing environmental microcystins. This study investigated the distribution of microcystin degraders and their relationship with microcystin congener production in Lake Taihu, China. The findings suggest a phenotypic congruence between microcystin production and degradation in natural environments.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qin Ding, Xiaolei Song, Mengxuan Yuan, Rongli Sun, Juan Zhang, Lihong Yin, Yuepu Pu
Summary: Anaerobic biodegradation is an important method for eliminating microcystin pollution and has significant potential for environmental bioremediation. This study found multiple microbial communities capable of anaerobic degradation of microcystin, and proposed two novel anaerobic biodegradation pathways. Several new degradation products were discovered, providing important clues for studying the anaerobic degradation mechanism.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Xiaojing Sheng, Mitsuru Tanaka, Risa Katagihara, Marika Hashimoto, Satoshi Nagaoka, Toshiro Matsui
Summary: The study established a novel analytical assay for peptide metabolites from glycinin, using MALDI-MS combined with amine derivatization with coumarin. The use of coumarin derivatization under specific conditions led to improved MS detection of peptides, allowing for successful characterization of glycinin-derived metabolites in rats.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gabriela Rocio Sosa Benegas, Suzan Prado Fernandes Bernal, Valeria Maia de Oliveira, Michel Rodrigo Zambrano Passarini
Summary: The study revealed the potential of Antarctic bacteria to inhibit the proliferation of Microcystis aeruginosa and degrade microcystin-LR, suggesting their possible application in mitigating cyanobacterial blooms in the future as an alternative or supporting approach.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Tianyi Li, Qinghua Zou, Binghua Zhang, Di Xiao
Summary: MALDI-TOF MS technology can accurately identify Escherichia coli and Shigella spp., which is crucial for disease control and prevention. By identifying characteristic peaks of decarboxylation products, we were able to distinguish E. coli from Shigella spp. This technology is advantageous for its high throughput, high quality, and ease of operation, and is of significant value for the diagnosis of E. coli and Shigella-related diseases.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
M. Sejalon-Cipolla, P. Bruyat, S. Bregant, C. Malgorn, L. Devel, G. Subra, S. Cantel
Summary: MALDI-MS is crucial for detecting and identifying molecules involved in biological pathways, but many biomarkers remain undetectable due to various limitations. To overcome these challenges, labeling strategies and activity-based probes have been developed. Matrix-free derivatization techniques are currently gaining attention.
TRAC-TRENDS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Shaista Hameed, Linda A. Lawton, Christine Edwards
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYCOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Carlos J. Pestana, Peter Hobson, Peter K. J. Robertson, Linda A. Lawton, Gayle Newcombe
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dolores Camacho-Munoz, Anne-Sophie Fervers, Carlos J. Pestana, Christine Edwards, Linda A. Lawton
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jianing Hui, Carlos J. Pestana, Marine Caux, H. Q. Nimal Gunaratne, Christine Edwards, Peter K. J. Robertson, Linda A. Lawton, John T. S. Irvine
Summary: This study introduces a facile method to coat g-C3N4 onto porous glass beads, producing a highly efficient photocatalyst for the removal of organic pollutants and cyanobacterial toxins in water reservoirs. Through recycling experiments, the coated layer is proven to be highly stable and regenerative.
JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY A-CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dolores Camacho-Munoz, Julia Waack, Andrew D. Turner, Adam M. Lewis, Linda A. Lawton, Christine Edwards
Summary: Freshwater cyanobacteria produce highly toxic secondary metabolites, which can be transported downstream by rivers and waterways into the sea. Estuarine and coastal aquaculture sites exposed to toxic cyanobacteria raise concerns that shellfish may accumulate and transfer cyanotoxins in the food web. This study aims to describe the competitive pattern of uptake and depuration of a wide range of microcystins (MC-LR, MC-LF, MC-LW, MC-LY, [Asp3]-MC-LR/[Dha7]-MC-LR, MC-HiIR) and nodularins (NOD cyclic and linear) within the common blue mussel Mytilus edulis exposed to a combined culture of Microcystis aeruginosa and Nodularia spumigena into the coastal environment. Different distribution profiles of MCs/NODs in the experimental system were observed. The majority of MCs/NODs were present intracellularly which is representative of healthy cyanobacterial cultures, with MC-LR and NOD the most abundant analogues. Higher removal rate was observed for NOD ( approximate to 96%) compared to MCs ( approximate to 50%) from the water phase. Accumulation of toxins in M. edulis was fast, reaching up to 3.4 mu g/g shellfish tissue four days after the end of the 3-days exposure period, with NOD (1.72 mu g/g) and MC-LR (0.74 mu g/g) as the dominant toxins, followed by MC-LF (0.35 mu g/g) and MC-LW (0.31 mu g/g). Following the end of the exposure period depuration was incomplete after 27 days (0.49 mu g/g of MCs/NODs). MCs/NODs were also present in faecal material and extrapallial fluid after 24 h of exposure with MCs the main contributors to the total cyanotoxin load in faecal material and NOD in the extrapallial fluid. Maximum concentration of MCs/NODs accumulated in a typical portion of mussels (20 mussels, approximate to 4 g each) was beyond greater the acute, seasonal and lifetime tolerable daily intake. Even after 27 days of depuration, consuming mussels harvested during even short term harmful algae blooms in close proximity to shellfish beds might carry a high health risk, highlighting the need for testing.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ariel Kaminski, Christine Edwards, Ewelina Chrapusta-Srebrny, Linda A. Lawton
Summary: The study demonstrates that UV-A/TiO2 photocatalysis is effective in removing toxic substances such as ANTX-a and cyanobacterial cells, generating non-toxic decomposition products.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Gorenka Bojadzija Savic, Herve Colinet, Myriam Bormans, Christine Edwards, Linda A. Lawton, Enora Briand, Claudia Wiegand
Summary: The study investigates the impact of cyanobacterial metabolites on Daphnia magna survival, showing that these metabolites can negatively affect the survival and stress response of Daphnia magna, leading to a decrease in their survival capacity.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Indira Menezes, Declan Maxwell-McQueeney, Jose Capelo-Neto, Carlos J. Pestana, Christine Edwards, Linda A. Lawton
Summary: Cyanobacterial blooms pose a danger to human and animal health due to cyanotoxins, and traditional water treatment methods struggle to remove cyanobacterial cells efficiently. Hydrogen peroxide has been shown to suppress cyanobacterial growth effectively, with photosynthetic activity proving to be the most suitable method for rapid oxidative cell stress detection in cyanobacteria. Combined methods are recommended for efficient water treatment management.
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Michael Dillon, Maja A. Zaczek-Moczydlowska, Christine Edwards, Andrew D. Turner, Peter I. Miller, Heather Moore, April McKinney, Linda Lawton, Katrina Campbell
Summary: In the past twenty years, the marine biotoxin analysis in routine regulatory monitoring has significantly advanced to high-end analytical techniques from the use of the mouse bioassay. Despite the availability of advanced methods and commercial standards, challenges such as high equipment costs, lengthy procedures, and qualified personnel remain for routine monitoring laboratories.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Allan A. Santos, Sylvia Soldatou, Valeria Freitas de Magalhaes, Sandra M. F. O. Azevedo, Dolores Camacho-Munoz, Linda A. Lawton, Christine Edwards
Summary: The study found that Paucibacter toxinivorans can effectively degrade not only cyanobacterial toxins, but also a wide range of peptides. In experiments, P. toxinivorans degraded most cyanopeptides within 7 days, especially at a faster rate in the presence of Microcystis extract.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Samylla Oliveira, Allan Clemente, Indira Menezes, Amanda Gois, Ismael Carloto, Linda Lawton, Jose Capelo-Neto
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of velocity gradients, mixing times, and powdered activated carbon (PAC) addition on the integrity of cyanobacteria. Results showed varying levels of sensitivity to shear stress among different cyanobacterial species, with some showing high resilience and others being more sensitive to shear stress.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Allan A. Santos, Dayvson O. Guedes, Mario U. G. Barros, Samylla Oliveira, Ana B. F. Pacheco, Sandra M. F. O. Azevedo, Valeria F. Magalhaes, Carlos J. Pestana, Christine Edwards, Linda A. Lawton, Jose Capelo-Neto
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of H2O2 on cyanobacterial blooms, finding that H2O2 efficiently suppressed cyanobacteria, green algae, and diatoms, leading to an improvement in water quality. However, a significant change in the composition of bacterial communities was observed after the use of H2O2, indicating a shift in favor of certain bacterial genera.
Article
Microbiology
Joseph S. Palmer, Linda A. Lawton, Rocky Kindt, Christine Edwards
Summary: Exploiting multiple products is necessary for realizing the potential of microalgae in the biorefinery context. Rapid and user-friendly analytical tools are crucial for growth optimization and quality control purposes, with the development of high-throughput methodologies allowing for quantitative and qualitative analysis of various compounds in microalgae. These methods have been applied to commercially important microalgal strains, showcasing their potential for coproduct exploitation and biotechnological applications.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Carlos J. Pestana, Jolita Portela Noronha, Jianing Hui, Christine Edwards, H. Q. Nimal Gunaratne, John T. S. Irvine, Peter K. J. Robertson, Jose Capelo-Neto, Linda A. Lawton
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2020)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
H. Q. Nimal Gunaratne, Carlos J. Pestana, Nathan Skillen, Jianing Hui, S. Saravanan, Christine Edwards, John T. S. Irvine, Peter K. J. Robertson, Linda A. Lawton
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-WATER RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY
(2020)
