Analysis of microcystin-LR and nodularin using triple quad liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and histopathology in experimental fish

Advances in immunoassay-based strategies for mycotoxin detection in food: From single-mode immunosensors to dual-mode immunosensors

Mycotoxin contamination in foods and other goods has become a broad issue owing to serious toxicity, tremendous threat to public safety, and terrible loss of resources. Herein, it is necessary to develop simple, sensitive, inexpensive, and rapid platforms for the detection of mycotoxins. Currently, the limitation of instrumental and chemical methods cannot be massively applied in practice. Immunoassays are considered one of the best candidates for toxin detection due to their simplicity, rapidness, and cost-effectiveness. Especially, the field of dual-mode immunosensors and corresponding assays is rapidly developing as an advanced and intersected technology. So, this review summarized the types and detection principles of single-mode immunosensors including optical and electrical immunosensors in recent years, then focused on developing dual-mode immunosensors including integrated immunosensors and combined immunosensors to detect mycotoxins, as well as the combination of dual-mode immunosensors with a portable device for point-of-care test. The remaining challenges were discussed with the aim of stimulating future development of dual-mode immunosensors to accelerate the transformation of scientific laboratory technologies into easy-to-operate and rapid detection platforms.

Analysis of Total-Forms of Cyanotoxins Microcystins in Biological Matrices: A Methodological Review

Microcystins (MCs) are cyclic heptapeptidic toxins produced by many cyanobacteria. Microcystins can be accumulated in various matrices in two forms: a free cellular fraction and a covalently protein-bound form. To detect and quantify the concentration of microcystins, a panel of techniques on various matrices (water, sediments, and animal tissues) is available. The analysis of MCs can concern the free or the total (free plus covalently bound) fractions. Free-form analyses of MCs are the most common and easiest to detect, whereas total-form analyses are much less frequent and more complex to achieve. The objective of this review is to summarize the different methods of extraction and analysis that have been developed for total forms. Four extraction methods were identified: MMPB (2-methyl-3-methoxy-4-phenylbutyric acid) method, deconjugation at basic pH, ozonolysis, and laser irradiation desorption. The study of the bibliography on the methods of extraction and analysis of the total forms of MCs showed that the reference method for the subject remains the MMPB method even if alternative methods and, in particular, deconjugation at basic pH, showed results encouraging the continuation of the methodological development on different matrices and on naturally-contaminated samples.

An identified PfHMGB1 promotes microcystin-LR-induced liver injury of yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)

Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is a potent hepatotoxin that can cause liver inflammation and injury. However, the mode of action of related inflammatory factors is not fully understood. PfHMGB1 is an inflammatory factor induced at the mRNA level in the liver of juvenile yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) that were intraperitoneally injected with 50 μg/kg MC-LR. The PfHMGB1 mRNA level was highest in the liver and muscle among 11 tissues examined. The full-length cDNA sequence of PfHMGB1 was cloned and overexpressed in E. coli, and the purified protein rPfHMGB1 demonstrated DNA binding affinity. Endotoxin-free rPfHMGB1 (6-150 μg/mL) also showed dose-dependent hepatotoxicity and induced inflammatory gene expression of primary hepatocytes. PfHMGB1 antibody (anti-PfHMGB1) in vitro reduced MC-LR (30 and 50 μmol/L)-induced hepatotoxicity, suggesting PfHMGB1 is important in the toxic effects of MC-LR. In vivo study showed that MC-LR upregulated PfHMGB1 protein in the liver. The anti-PfHMGB1 blocked its counterpart and reduced ALT/AST activities after MC-LR exposure. Anti-PfHMGB1 partly neutralized MC-LR-induced hepatocyte disorganization, nucleus shrinkage, mitochondria, and rough endoplasmic reticula destruction. These findings suggest that PfHMGB1 promotes MC-LR-induced liver damage in the yellow catfish. HMGB1 may help protect catfish against widespread microcystin pollution.

Optimization of an MMPB Lemieux Oxidation method for the quantitative analysis of microcystins in fish tissue by LC-QTOF MS

Microcystins are toxic heptapeptides produced by cyanobacteria in marine and freshwater environments. In biological samples such as fish, microcystins can be found in the free form or covalently bound to protein phosphatases type I and II. Total microcystins in fish have been quantified in the past using the Lemieux Oxidation approach, where all toxins are oxidated to a common fragment (2-methyl-3-methoxy-4-phenylbutyric acid, MMPB) regardless of their initial amino acid configuration or form (free or protein bound). These studies have been carried out using different experimental conditions and employed different quantification strategies. The present study has further investigated the oxidation step using a systematic approach, to identify the most important factors leading to a higher, more robust MMPB generation yield from fish tissue in order to reduce the method detection limit. Field samples were quantified using an in-situ generated MMPB matrix matched calibration curve by isotope dilution with d₃-MMPB via liquid chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF MS). This approach improves method's accuracy by taking into account of potential matrix effects that could affect the derivatization, sample prepation and instrumental analysis steps. The validated method showed 16.7% precision (RSD) and +6.7% accuracy (bias), with calculated method detection limits of 7.28 ng g^-1 Performance of the method was assessed with the analysis of laboratory exposed Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to cyanobacteria as a positive control, where no microcystins were detected in the pre-exposure fish liver and fillet, low levels in the exposed fillet (65.0 ng g^-1) and higher levels in the exposed liver (696 ng g^-1). Finally, the method was employed for the analysis of 26 fillets (muscle) and livers of Walleye (Sander vitreus) and Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) from Lake Erie, showing very low concentrations of microcystins in the fillet and higher concentrations in liver, up to 3720 ng g^-1.

Determination of microcystins in environmental water samples with ionic liquid magnetic graphene

Microcystins is a class of monocyclic of heptapeptides with many different isomerides. It has become potential hazardous material in water environment for its toxic, distribution and stability. This project worked on a method for determination of trace microcystin (MC-LR and MC-RR) in environmental waters. The ionic liquid magnetic graphene (IL@MG) was prepared and applied to the concentration and determination of microcystins, based on magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE), and coupled with ultra high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The ionic liquid magnetic graphene was prepared by coprecipitatial synthesis and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), specific surface area (BET), pore size distribution (BJH) and magnetic hysteresis loop. The experimental parameters of magnetic solid phase extraction, including amount of IL@MG, pH, extraction time and elution solvent were investigated by a univariate method and orthogonal screening. The method showed good linearity in the range of 0.01-10.0 g/L and 0.005-10.0 μg/L for MC-LR and MC-RR, when the pH of water samples was 4.00 and 10.0 mg adsorbents were used to extract targets for 18 min. The lowest detection limit was 0.414 ng/L and 0.216 ng/L for MC-LR and MC-RR respectively. The recoveries of the microcystins were in the range of 83.6-100.9%, and the relative standard deviation was less than 7.59%. The trace amount of MC-LR (0.020 μg/L) and MC-RR (0.003 μg/L and 0.021 μg/L) was detected in actural water samples. Attributed to its simple operator, low detection limit and high sensitivity, this method could be used for the detection of trace microcystins in water samples.

Detection of microcystin-producing cyanobacteria in water samples using loop-mediated isothermal amplification targeting mcyB gene

Microcystin toxin-producing cyanobacteria are known to have harmful effects on humans and animals. We have developed a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)-based detection method by targeting the microcystin synthetase B gene (mcyB), the gene responsible for the production of microcystin. The sensitivity of the method was found to be 1 fg per reaction, and it was 1000-fold higher than the conventional PCR. The LAMP method was able to amplify the target gene with a minimum amount of dNTP (0.4 mM), which further reduces the cost of reaction. The improved LAMP assay could detect the presence of the toxin-producing cyanobacteria in water samples within 2 h of time, which demonstrates the rapidness of the method. Freshwater samples were screened using the developed LAMP, and seven water samples collected from lakes and a bird sanctuary tested positive for mcyB gene harboring cyanobacteria, and negative in all other drinking waters. Hence, the developed LAMP could be a possible alternative to the existing molecular methods for screening for microcystin in environmental samples with greater sensitivity.

Integrated identification and quantification of cyanobacterial toxins from Pacific Northwest freshwaters by Liquid Chromatography and High-resolution Mass Spectrometry

The occurrence of harmful algal blooms in nutrient-rich freshwater bodies has increased world-wide, including in the Pacific Northwest. Some cyanobacterial genera have the potential to produce secondary metabolites that are highly toxic to humans, livestock and wildlife. Reliable methods for the detection of cyanobacterial toxins with high specificity and low limits of detection are in high demand. Here we test a relatively new hybrid high resolution accurate mass quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry platform (TripleTOF) for the analysis of cyanobacterial toxins in freshwater samples. We developed a new method that allows the quantitative analysis of four commonly observed microcystin congeners (LR, LA, YR, and RR) and anatoxin-a in a 6-min LC run without solid-phase enrichment. Limits of detection for the microcystin congeners (LR, LA, YR, and RR) and anatoxin-a were <5 ng/L (200-fold lower than the guideline value of 1 μg/L as maximum allowable concentration of MC-LR in drinking water). The method was applied for screening freshwaters in the Pacific Northwest during the bloom and post-bloom periods. The use of high resolution mass spectrometry and concomitant high sensitivity detection of specific fragment ions with high mass accuracy provides an integrated approach for the simultaneous identification and quantification of cyanobacterial toxins. The method is sensitive enough for detecting the toxins in single Microcystis colonies.