New records on toxic cyanobacteria from Brazil: Exploring their occurrence and geography

Author(s)

Campos, Thaissa Giovanna Valverde ; Gama, Watson A. ; Geraldes, Vanessa ; Yoon, Jaewon ; Crnkovic, Camila M. ; Pinto, Ernani ; Jacinavicius, Fernanda Rios

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Science of The Total Environment; v. 931, p. 14-pg., 2024-05-03.

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 re- sults, interpreted through the GNPS platform, revealed six cyanotoxin groups in Brazilian strains. Yet, com- pounds 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. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 22/02872-4 - Integrated strategies for natural product discovery from Brazilian cyanobacteria
• Grantee: Camila Manoel Crnkovic
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Initial Project
• FAPESP's process: 24/02448-3 - Analysis of the impact of cyanobacteria inoculation on the maize rhizosphere community
• Grantee: Fernanda Rios Jacinavicius
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Technical Training Program - Technical Training
• FAPESP's process: 21/10573-4 - Center for Carbon Research in Tropical Agriculture (CCARBON)
• Grantee: Carlos Eduardo Pellegrino Cerri
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC
• FAPESP's process: 20/07710-7 - Biotechnological prospection of natural products from cyanobacteria
• Grantee: Camila Manoel Crnkovic
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/27707-3 - Implementation of the mass spectrometry-based proteomics service at FoRC
• Grantee: Vanessa Sofia Mendes Geraldes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Technical Training Program - Technical Training
• FAPESP's process: 23/00525-8 - Dereplicating secondary metabolites from Calothrix sp., Desertifilum tharense, and Leptolyngbya sp. using metabolomics
• Grantee: Jaewon Yoon
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 13/07914-8 - FoRC - Food Research Center
• Grantee: Bernadette Dora Gombossy de Melo Franco
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC
• FAPESP's process: 21/00149-0 - Treatment and selective fractionation of cyanobacteria in blooms for the production of value-added supplies
• Grantee: Ernani Pinto Junior
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants