Effects of interaction and bioaccessibility of the cyanotoxins microcystin and cylindrospermopsin in aquatic and terrestrial species

The occurrence and proliferation of toxic cyanobacteria blooms as a potential consequence of eutrophication and climate change are an emergent environmental concern worldwide. Microcystin-LR (MC-LR), mainly produced by Microcystisaeruginosa is the most documented and studied cyanotoxin. Cylindrospermopsin (CYN) has been recognized of increased concern due to the invasive nature of its main producer, Cylindrospermopsisraciborskii. Recent studies support the hypothesis that MC-LR and CYN exert harmful effects on crop plants. Lettuce, Lactuca sativa, is an important commercial leafy vegetable, which supplies important components for a healthy diet (e.g., fibers, minerals and antioxidants). Therefore, it is of particular interest the knowledge of lettuce sensitivity to ecologically relevant concentrations of cyanotoxins, inclusively mixtures. Proteomic technologies seem to be suitable to investigate the effects of MC-LR and CYN and may allow the identification of early stress responses, which are not perceptible by traditional endpoints. Proteomics may also provide new insights of protein biomarkers of exposure and the identification of allergenic proteins, which may be of interest for human health risk assessment. However, human health problems due to MC-LR and CYN are most likely associated to its chronic exposure by drinking water and contaminated food. Previous studies have shown that aquatic organisms, especially bivalves (filter-feeding organisms), can accumulate high levels of cyanotoxins without lethal effect. Based on the potential for human health risks, a provisional tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 0.04 and 0.03μg/kg-body weight, has been established for MC-LR and CYN, respectively. However, the risks associated to the consumption of contaminated food may increase if the consumers use storage and processing practices that enhance the concentration of cyanotoxins and their bioaccessibility. It has been reported that MCs are stable at high concentration of cyanotoxins and their bioaccessibility. It has been reported that MCs are stable at high temperatures (above 300 °C) and they can with stand several hours boiling. Likewise, CYN is highly watersoluble and stable to extreme temperatures and pHs, thus the knowledge of the influence of storage and cooking practices as well as human digestion on MC-LR and CYN concentration in food is required to a more accurate human risk assessment.

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.22/26048

Citation

Freiras, M., Azevedo, J., Carvalho, A. P., Planchon, S., Renaut, J., Mendes, V., Manadas, B., Pinto, E., Barreiro, A., Neves, J., Campos, A., & Vasconcelos, V. (2014). Effects of interaction and bioaccessibility of the cyanotoxins microcystin and cylindrospermopsin in aquatic and terrestrial species. ICEH14 /3rd International Congress of Environmental Health: Proceedings Book, 1, 245–247.