Biodegradation of [D-Leu(1)] microcystin-LR by a bacterium isolated from sediment of Patos Lagoon estuary, Brazil.

Background: Toxic cyanobacterial blooms are recurrent in Patos Lagoon, in southern Brazil. Among cyanotoxins, [D-Leu(1)] microcystin-LR is the predominant variant whose natural cycle involves water and sediment compartments. This study aimed to identify and isolate from sediment a bacterial strain capable of growing on [D-Leu(1)] microcystin-LR.