Characterization and Mechanism of Linearized-Microcystinase Involved in Bacterial Degradation of Microcystins.

Microcystins (MCs) are extremely hazardous to the ecological environment and public health. How to control and remove MCs is an unsolved problem all over the world. Some microbes and their enzymes are thought to be effective in degrading MCs.

Identification and characterization of the dominant sp. cyanobacteria detected in Lake Dong Ting, China.

The presence of cyanobacteria in drinking water, aquatic foods and bathing water has created a significant major problem to global public health as these toxins induce damage in various organ including liver, cardiovascular, intestinal and central nervous systems. Although the morphologic, phylogenetic and toxicogenetic characteristics of cyanobacteria were identified in several lakes in China, many freshwater sources such as Dong Ting Lake, Hunan Province, China remain to be determined. Since the presence of these cyanobacteria may potentially affect human health, the aim of this study was to isolate, identify and characterize the most frequent occurring bloom-forming cyanobacteria in Dong Ting Lake, Hunan Province, China, which can provide information on the safety of utilization of this water source for drinking water, agriculture and recreation.

Anaerobic degradation of microcystin-LR by an indigenous bacterial sp. YF3.

Microcystin-LR (MC-LR), a known hepatotoxin present in drinking water, and contaminated food and algal dietary supplements poses a threat to environmental and public health and thus needs to be removed. Previously microbial aerobic degradation was considered the predominant catabolic process for MC-LR inactivation, but the potential role of anaerobic microbes still needs to be determined. In our study an anaerobic MC-degrading bacterium sp.

Exposure routes and health effects of microcystins on animals and humans: A mini-review.

Microcystins (MCs) pollution has quickly risen in infamy and has become a major problem to public health worldwide. MCs are a group of monocyclic hepatotoxic peptides, which are produced by some bloom-forming cyanobacteria in water. More than 100 different MCs variants posing a great threat to animals and humans due to their potential carcinogenicity have been reported.