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Hu Y, Dai X, Zhang H, Dai Q, Niu B, Jing G, Li Y, Fan G. Observing multi-frequency structured illumination patterns based on an evanescent field in a millimeter-scale polymer slide. OPTICS LETTERS 2024; 49:4903-4906. [PMID: 39207993 DOI: 10.1364/ol.532009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Millimeter-scale slide optical waveguides (OWGs) show the potential to break the barrier of easy-to-use and versatility for total internal reflection (TIR) fluorescence technology. In this paper, multi-frequency structured illumination (SI) patterns resulting from the evanescent field (EF) on the surface of a millimeter-scale polymer slide OWG are observed by measuring the fluorescence intensity distribution of fluorescent dyes deposited on the top of the OWG. The frequency, intensity, and stability of the SI patterns show a strong dependence on the coupling angle of the incident light (changing with the incident position). The distribution of multi-frequency SI patterns in the frequency space is demonstrated for different numerical aperture (NA) imaging systems (NA = 0.3, 0.6, and 0.8), indicating the potential for enhanced resolution for low NA systems with a simple and cheap polymer slide.
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2
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Smith RL, England A, Millis J, Hirn C, Collins SD, Connell LB. A Microfabricated, Flow-Driven Grinding Mill for Mechanical Cell Lysing. Anal Chem 2023; 95:17494-17501. [PMID: 37976075 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c02344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents the design, microfabrication, and demonstration of a novel microfluidic grinding mill for the lysis of the dinoflagellate, Alexandrium, a neurotoxin-producing genus of algae that is responsible for red tide and paralytic shellfish poisoning. The mill consists of a high-speed, hydrodynamically driven microrotor coupled to a micro grinding mill that lyses robust algal cells by mechanical abrasion with single-pass efficiencies as high as 97%. These efficiencies are comparable to, or better than, current mechanical and chemical lysing methods without adding complications associated with harsh chemical additives that can interfere with subsequent downstream bioanalysis. Release of cytoplasm from lysed algae was confirmed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of Alexandrium DNA using dinoflagellate primers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Avery England
- Department of Chemsitry, University of Maine, Orono, Maine 04469, United States
| | | | - Corey Hirn
- School of Marine Science, University of Maine, Orono, Maine 04469, United States
| | - Scott D Collins
- Department of Chemsitry, University of Maine, Orono, Maine 04469, United States
| | - Laurie B Connell
- School of Marine Science, University of Maine, Orono, Maine 04469, United States
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3
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Moore C. Invited Perspective: Decentralized CyanoHAB Monitoring Is Needed to Understand Public Health Risks. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:61306. [PMID: 37342991 PMCID: PMC10284345 DOI: 10.1289/ehp12948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Moore
- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, San Diego, California, USA
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4
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Tan J, Liu L, Li F, Chen Z, Chen GY, Fang F, Guo J, He M, Zhou X. Screening of Endocrine Disrupting Potential of Surface Waters via an Affinity-Based Biosensor in a Rural Community in the Yellow River Basin, China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:14350-14360. [PMID: 36129370 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c01323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Overcoming the limitations of traditional analytical methods and developing technologies to continuously monitor environments and produce a comprehensive picture of potential endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has been an ongoing challenge. Herein, we developed a portable nuclear receptor (NR)-based biosensor within 90 min to perform highly sensitive analyses of a broad range of EDCs in environmental water samples. Based on the specific binding of the fluorescence-labeled NRs with their ligands, the receptors were attached to the EDC-functionalized fiber surface by competing with EDCs in the samples. The biosensor emitted fluorescence due to the evanescent wave excitation, thereby resulting in a turn-off sensing mode. The biosensor showed a detection limit of 5 ng/L E2-binding activity equivalent (E2-BAE) and 93 ng/L T3-BAE. As a case study, the biosensor was used to map the estrogenic binding activities of surface waters obtained from a rural community in the Yellow River basin in China. When the results obtained were compared with those from the traditional yeast two-hybrid bioassay, a high correlation was observed. It is anticipated that the good universality and versatility exhibited by this biosensor for various EDCs, which is achieved by using different NRs, will significantly promote the continuous assessment of global EDCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jisui Tan
- State Key Joint Laboratory of ESPC, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Lanhua Liu
- School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Fangxu Li
- State Key Joint Laboratory of ESPC, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Zhongli Chen
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment, College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - George Y Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Photonic Devices and Sensing Systems for Internet of Things, Guangdong and Hong Kong Joint Research Centre for Optical Fibre Sensors, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Fang Fang
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment, College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Jinsong Guo
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment, College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Miao He
- State Key Joint Laboratory of ESPC, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Advanced Technology and Equipment for Water Environment Pollution Monitoring, Changsha 410205, China
| | - Xiaohong Zhou
- State Key Joint Laboratory of ESPC, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Advanced Technology and Equipment for Water Environment Pollution Monitoring, Changsha 410205, China
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Wu G, Zhuang D, Chew KW, Ling TC, Khoo KS, Van Quyen D, Feng S, Show PL. Current Status and Future Trends in Removal, Control, and Mitigation of Algae Food Safety Risks for Human Consumption. Molecules 2022; 27:6633. [PMID: 36235173 PMCID: PMC9572256 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27196633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
With the rapid development of the economy and productivity, an increasing number of citizens are not only concerned about the nutritional value of algae as a potential new food resource but are also, in particular, paying more attention to the safety of its consumption. Many studies and reports pointed out that analyzing and solving seaweed food safety issues requires holistic and systematic consideration. The three main factors that have been found to affect the food safety of algal are physical, chemical, and microbiological hazards. At the same time, although food safety awareness among food producers and consumers has increased, foodborne diseases caused by algal food safety incidents occur frequently. It threatens the health and lives of consumers and may cause irreversible harm if treatment is not done promptly. A series of studies have also proved the idea that microbial contamination of algae is the main cause of this problem. Therefore, the rapid and efficient detection of toxic and pathogenic microbial contamination in algal products is an urgent issue that needs to be addressed. At the same time, two other factors, such as physical and chemical hazards, cannot be ignored. Nowadays, the detection techniques are mainly focused on three major hazards in traditional methods. However, especially for food microorganisms, the use of traditional microbiological control techniques is time-consuming and has limitations in terms of accuracy. In recent years, these two evaluations of microbial foodborne pathogens monitoring in the farm-to-table chain have shown more importance, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, there are also many new developments in the monitoring of heavy metals, algal toxins, and other pollutants. In the future, algal food safety risk assessment will not only focus on convenient, rapid, low-cost and high-accuracy detection but also be connected with some novel technologies, such as the Internet of Things (artificial intelligence, machine learning), biosensor, and molecular biology, to reach the purpose of simultaneous detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guowei Wu
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih 43500, Malaysia
| | - Dingling Zhuang
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Kit Wayne Chew
- School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, 62 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637459, Singapore
| | - Tau Chuan Ling
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Kuan Shiong Khoo
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Yuan Ze University, Taoyuan 32003, Taiwan
| | - Dong Van Quyen
- Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), Hanoi 100803, Vietnam
- Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of Hanoi, Hanoi 100803, Vietnam
| | - Shuying Feng
- Medical College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Pau Loke Show
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Semenyih 43500, Malaysia
- Department of Sustainable Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, SIMATS, Chennai 602105, India
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Subtropical Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
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Sandwich Hybridization Assay for In Situ Real-Time Cyanobacterial Detection and Monitoring: A Review. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12080640. [PMID: 36005037 PMCID: PMC9405892 DOI: 10.3390/bios12080640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
As cyanobacterial harmful algal bloom (cHAB) events increase in scale, severity, frequency, and duration around the world, rapid and accurate monitoring and characterization tools have become critically essential for regulatory and management decision-making. The composition of cHAB-forming cyanobacteria community can change significantly over time and space and be altered by sample preservation and transportation, making in situ monitoring necessary to obtain real-time and localized information. Sandwich hybridization assay (SHA) utilizes capture oligonucleotide probes for sensitive detection of target-specific nucleic acid sequences. As an amplification-free molecular biology technology, SHA can be adapted for in-situ, real-time or near real-time detection and qualitatively or semi-quantitatively monitoring of cHAB-forming cyanobacteria, owing to its characteristics such as being rapid, portable, inexpensive, and amenable to automation, high sensitivity, specificity and robustness, and multiplexing (i.e., detecting multiple targets simultaneously). Despite its successful application in the monitoring of marine and freshwater phytoplankton, there is still room for improvement. The ability to identify a cHAB community rapidly would decrease delays in cyanotoxin analyses, reduce costs, and increase sample throughput, allowing for timely actions to improve environmental and human health and the understanding of short- and long-term bloom dynamics. Real-time detection and quantitation of HAB-forming cyanobacteria is essential for improving environmental and public health and reducing associated costs. We review and propose to apply SHA for in situ cHABs monitoring.
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Geleta GS. A colorimetric aptasensor based on gold nanoparticles for detection of microbial toxins: an alternative approach to conventional methods. Anal Bioanal Chem 2022; 414:7103-7122. [PMID: 35902394 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-022-04227-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Frequent contamination of foods with microbial toxins produced by microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae represents an increasing public health problem that requires the development of quick and easy tools to detect them at trace levels. Recently, it has been found that colorimetric detection methods may replace traditional methods in the field because of their ease of use, quick response, ease of manufacture, low cost, and naked-eye visibility. Therefore, it is suitable for fieldwork, especially for work in remote areas of the world. However, the development of colorimetric detection methods with low detection limits is a challenge that limits their wide applicability in the detection of food contaminants. To address these challenges, nanomaterial-based transduction systems are used to construct colorimetric biosensors. For example, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) provide an excellent platform for the development of colorimetric biosensors because they offer the advantages of easy synthesis, biocompatibility, advanced surface functionality, and adjustable physicochemical properties. The selectivity of the colorimetric biosensor can be achieved by the combination of aptamers and gold nanoparticles, which provides an unprecedented opportunity to detect microbial toxins. Compared to antibodies, aptamers have significant advantages in the analysis of microbial toxins due to their smaller size, higher binding affinity, reproducible chemical synthesis and modification, stability, and specificity. Two colorimetric mechanisms for the detection of microbial toxins based on AuNPs have been described. First, sensors that use the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) phenomenon of gold nanoparticles can exhibit very strong colors in the visible range because of changes caused by aggregation or disaggregation. Second, the detection mechanism of AuNPs is based on their enzyme mimetic properties and it is possible to construct a colorimetric biosensor based on the 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine/Hydrogen peroxide, TMB/H2O2 reaction to detect microbial toxins. Therefore, this review summarizes the recent applications of AuNP-based colorimetric aptasensors for detecting microbial toxins, including bacterial toxins, fungal toxins, and algal toxins focusing on selectivity, sensitivity, and practicality. Finally, the most important current challenges in this field and future research opportunities are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Girma Salale Geleta
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Salale University, P.O. Box 245, Oromia, Fiche, Ethiopia.
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Cai Y, Zhu K, Shen L, Ma J, Bao L, Chen D, Wei L, Wei N, Liu B, Wu Y, Chen S. Evolved Biosensor with High Sensitivity and Specificity for Measuring Cadmium in Actual Environmental Samples. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:10062-10071. [PMID: 35762704 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c00627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial biosensors have great potential in contaminant detection for sensitivity, specificity, cost-effectiveness, and easy operation. However, the existing cadmium-responsive bacterial biosensors cannot meet the real-world detection requirements due to lack of sensitivity, specificity, and anti-interference capability. This study aimed to develop a bacterial biosensor for detecting the total and extractable cadmium in actual environmental samples. We constructed the cadmium-responsive biosensor with the regulatory element (cadmium resistance transcriptional regulatory, CadR) and the reporting element (GFP) and improved its performance by directed evolution. The mutant libraries of biosensors were generated by error-prone PCR and screened by continuous five-round fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), and a bacteria variant epCadR5 with higher performance was finally isolated. Biosensor fluorescence intensity was measured by a microplate reader, and results showed that the evolved cadmium-responsive bacterial biosensor was of high sensitivity and specificity in detecting trace cadmium, with a detection limit of 0.45 μg/L, which is 6.8 times more specific to cadmium than that of the wild-type. Furthermore, microscopic qualitative analysis results showed that the bacteria could produce fluorescence response in a cadmium-contaminated soil matrix, and quantitative analysis results showed that the values of cadmium from epCadR5 bacteria were close to that from inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. These results suggest that the biosensor may have a broad application prospect in the detection of cadmium-contaminated soil and water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeshen Cai
- Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Kaili Zhu
- Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Liang Shen
- Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Jie Ma
- School of Public Health, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241002, China
| | - Lingzhi Bao
- School of Public Health, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241002, China
| | - Dongdong Chen
- Institute of Environmental Physics and Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230039, China
| | - Liangchen Wei
- School of Public Health, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241002, China
| | - Nan Wei
- Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Binmei Liu
- Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Yuejin Wu
- Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Shaopeng Chen
- Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- School of Public Health, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241002, China
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3D Impedimetric Biosensor for Cyanobacteria Detection in Natural Water Sources. CHEMOSENSORS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/chemosensors10010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The excessive growth of cyanobacteria in freshwater sources produces the development of toxic blooms mainly due to the production of cyanotoxins. Here, a novel impedimetric biosensor based on a three-dimensional interdigitated electrode array (3D-IDEA) for detection of cyanobacteria cells is reported. The 3D-IDEA sensor surface biofunctionalization was performed by means of the layer-by-layer method using polyethyleneimine (PEI) as the anchoring layer and concanavalin A (Con A) as the bioreceptor to lipopolysaccharides of cyanobacteria cells. The developed PEI-Con A 3D-IDEA sensors show a linear response (R2 = 0.992) of the impedance changes (RS) versus the logarithm of cyanobacteria concentrations in the range of 102–105 cells·mL−1 with the detection limit of 100 cells·mL−1. Moreover, to prevent the interference from components that may be present in real water samples and minimize a possible sample matrix effect, a filtration methodology to recover cyanobacterial cells was developed. The proposed methodology allows 91.2% bacteria recovery, permitting to obtain results similar to controlled assays. The developed system can be used in aquatic environments to detect cyanobacteria and consequently to prevent the formation of blooms and the production of cyanotoxins. Con A can bind to most polysaccharides and so react with other types of bacteria. However, currently, on the market, it is not possible to find specific biorecognition elements for cyanobacteria. Taking into consideration the specificity of samples to be analyzed (natural water resources), it is difficult to expect high concentration of other bacteria. In this sense, the developed methodology may be used as an alarm system to select samples for more thorough and precise laboratory analysis.
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A Fuzzy Logic Model for Early Warning of Algal Blooms in a Tidal-Influenced River. WATER 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/w13213118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Algal blooms are one of the most serious threats to water resources, and their early detection remains a challenge in eutrophication management worldwide. In recent years, with more widely available real-time auto-monitoring data and the advancement of computational capabilities, fuzzy logic has become a robust tool to establish early warning systems. In this study, a framework for an early warning system was constructed, aiming to accurately predict algae blooms in a river containing several water conservation areas and in which the operation of two tidal sluices has altered the tidal currents. Statistical analysis of sampled data was first conducted and suggested the utilization of dissolved oxygen, velocity, ammonia nitrogen, total phosphorus, and water temperature as inputs into the fuzzy logic model. The fuzzy logic model, which was driven by biochemical data sampled by two auto-monitoring sites and numerically simulated velocity, successfully reproduced algae bloom events over the past several years (i.e., 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017, and 2019). Considering the demands of management, several key parameters, such as onset threshold and prolongation time and subsequent threshold, were additionally applied in the warning system, which achieved a critical success index and positive hit rate values of 0.5 and 0.9, respectively. The differences in the early warning index between the two auto-monitoring sites were further illustrated in terms of tidal influence, sluice operation, and the influence of the contaminated water mass that returned from downstream during flood tides. It is highlighted that for typical tidal rivers in urban areas of South China with sufficient nutrient supply and warm temperature, dissolved oxygen and velocity are key factors for driving early warning systems. The study also suggests that some additional common pollutants should be sampled and utilized for further analysis of water mass extents and data quality control of auto-monitoring sampling.
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Liu J, Yang Y, Zhu Q, Wang Z, Hu G, Shi H, Zhou X. ELISA-Based Method for Variant-Independent Detection of Total Microcystins and Nodularins via a Multi-immunogen Approach. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:12984-12993. [PMID: 34551520 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c03330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Required routine monitoring of microcystins (MCs) and nodularins (NODs) in water samples, as posed by U.S. EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 4, demands cost-effective, reliable, and sensitive detection methods. To target as many MC and NOD variants as possible, we developed an indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with group-specific monoclonal antibodies for variant-independent detection of total MCs and NODs. In this ELISA method, the mice monoclonal antibodies presenting both high affinities and broad-spectrum recognition capabilities against MCs and NODs were self-produced by designing MC hapten-based multi-immunogens to minimize specificity for the particular variant. Their high affinities and variant-independent binding capabilities against MCs and NODs were validated by both wet lab and in silico methods. The developed ELISA method achieved a limit of detection of below 0.3 μg/L for 13 MC/NOD variants, well with the reported best cross-reactivities of 60-127% relative to MC-LR. As a case study, this ELISA method was used to map the variations of intracellular and extracellular total MCs/NODs in the Luoma Lake drinking water source, China, in July, 2020. Its capability to measure total MCs/NODs with high sensitivity and high throughput in a simple and affordable way would truly be a disruptive technology capable of changing our understanding of bloom/toxin dynamics and having obvious implications for monitoring efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinchuan Liu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of ESPC, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yihan Yang
- State Key Joint Laboratory of ESPC, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Qian Zhu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of ESPC, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Zhanhui Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Guanjiu Hu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Monitoring and Analysis for Organic Pollutants in Surface Water, Jiangsu Environmental Monitoring Center, Nanjing 210036, China
| | - Hanchang Shi
- State Key Joint Laboratory of ESPC, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xiaohong Zhou
- State Key Joint Laboratory of ESPC, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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Rolling Circle Amplification as an Efficient Analytical Tool for Rapid Detection of Contaminants in Aqueous Environments. BIOSENSORS-BASEL 2021; 11:bios11100352. [PMID: 34677308 PMCID: PMC8533700 DOI: 10.3390/bios11100352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Environmental contaminants are a global concern, and an effective strategy for remediation is to develop a rapid, on-site, and affordable monitoring method. However, this remains challenging, especially with regard to the detection of various contaminants in complex water environments. The application of molecular methods has recently attracted increasing attention; for example, rolling circle amplification (RCA) is an isothermal enzymatic process in which a short nucleic acid primer is amplified to form a long single-stranded nucleic acid using a circular template and special nucleic acid polymerases. Furthermore, this approach can be further engineered into a device for point-of-need monitoring of environmental pollutants. In this paper, we describe the fundamental principles of RCA and the advantages and disadvantages of RCA assays. Then, we discuss the recently developed RCA-based tools for environmental analysis to determine various targets, including heavy metals, organic small molecules, nucleic acids, peptides, proteins, and even microorganisms in aqueous environments. Finally, we summarize the challenges and outline strategies for the advancement of this technique for application in contaminant monitoring.
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Vaz R, Valpradinhos B, Frasco MF, Sales MGF. Emerging Optical Materials in Sensing and Discovery of Bioactive Compounds. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 21:5784. [PMID: 34502675 PMCID: PMC8434157 DOI: 10.3390/s21175784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Optical biosensors are used in numerous applications and analytical fields. Advances in these sensor platforms offer high sensitivity, selectivity, miniaturization, and real-time analysis, among many other advantages. Research into bioactive natural products serves both to protect against potentially dangerous toxic compounds and to promote pharmacological innovation in drug discovery, as these compounds have unique chemical compositions that may be characterized by greater safety and efficacy. However, conventional methods for detecting these biomolecules have drawbacks, as they are time-consuming and expensive. As an alternative, optical biosensors offer a faster, simpler, and less expensive means of detecting various biomolecules of clinical interest. In this review, an overview of recent developments in optical biosensors for the detection and monitoring of aquatic biotoxins to prevent public health risks is first provided. In addition, the advantages and applicability of these biosensors in the field of drug discovery, including high-throughput screening, are discussed. The contribution of the investigated technological advances in the timely and sensitive detection of biotoxins while deciphering the pathways to discover bioactive compounds with great health-promoting prospects is envisaged to meet the increasing demands of healthcare systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Vaz
- BioMark@UC, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal; (R.V.); (M.G.F.S.)
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal;
| | - Beatriz Valpradinhos
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal;
- BioMark@ISEP, School of Engineering, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, 4249-015 Porto, Portugal
| | - Manuela F. Frasco
- BioMark@UC, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal; (R.V.); (M.G.F.S.)
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal;
- BioMark@ISEP, School of Engineering, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, 4249-015 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria Goreti F. Sales
- BioMark@UC, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal; (R.V.); (M.G.F.S.)
- CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal;
- BioMark@ISEP, School of Engineering, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, 4249-015 Porto, Portugal
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Nabok A, Al-Jawdah AM, Gémes B, Takács E, Székács A. An Optical Planar Waveguide-Based Immunosensors for Determination of Fusarium Mycotoxin Zearalenone. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13020089. [PMID: 33504112 PMCID: PMC7911535 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13020089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
A planar waveguide (PW) immunosensor working as a polarisation interferometer was developed for the detection of mycotoxin zearalenone (ZON). The main element of the sensor is an optical waveguide consisting of a thin silicon nitride layer between two thicker silicon dioxide layers. A combination of a narrow waveguiding core made by photolithography with an advanced optical set-up providing a coupling of circular polarised light into the PW via its slanted edge allowed the realization of a novel sensing principle by detection of the phase shift between the p- and s-components of polarised light propagating through the PW. As the p-component is sensitive to refractive index changes at the waveguide interface, molecular events between the sensor surface and the contacting sample solution can be detected. To detect ZON concentrations in the sample solution, ZON-specific antibodies were immobilised on the waveguide via an electrostatically deposited polyelectrolyte layer, and protein A was adsorbed on it. Refractive index changes on the surface due to the binding of ZON molecules to the anchored antibodies were detected in a concentration-dependent manner up to 1000 ng/mL of ZON, allowing a limit of detection of 0.01 ng/mL. Structurally unrelated mycotoxins such as aflatoxin B1 or ochratoxin A did not exert observable cross-reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexei Nabok
- Materials and Engineering Research Institute, Sheffield Hallam University, Howard Street, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-7854-805603
| | - Ali Madlool Al-Jawdah
- Materials and Engineering Research Institute, Sheffield Hallam University, Howard Street, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK;
- College of Sciences, Babylon University, P.O. Box 4, Hilla 51002, Iraq
| | - Borbála Gémes
- Agro-Environmental Research Institute, National Research and Innovation Centre, Herman Ottó út 15, H-1022 Budapest, Hungary; (A.S.); (B.G.); (E.T.)
| | - Eszter Takács
- Agro-Environmental Research Institute, National Research and Innovation Centre, Herman Ottó út 15, H-1022 Budapest, Hungary; (A.S.); (B.G.); (E.T.)
| | - András Székács
- Agro-Environmental Research Institute, National Research and Innovation Centre, Herman Ottó út 15, H-1022 Budapest, Hungary; (A.S.); (B.G.); (E.T.)
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15
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Multiplex Immunoassay Techniques for On-Site Detection of Security Sensitive Toxins. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12110727. [PMID: 33233770 PMCID: PMC7699850 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12110727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological toxins are a heterogeneous group of high molecular as well as low molecular weight toxins produced by living organisms. Due to their physical and logistical properties, biological toxins are very attractive to terrorists for use in acts of bioterrorism. Therefore, among the group of biological toxins, several are categorized as security relevant, e.g., botulinum neurotoxins, staphylococcal enterotoxins, abrin, ricin or saxitoxin. Additionally, several security sensitive toxins also play a major role in natural food poisoning outbreaks. For a prompt response to a potential bioterrorist attack using biological toxins, first responders need reliable, easy-to-use and highly sensitive methodologies for on-site detection of the causative agent. Therefore, the aim of this review is to present on-site immunoassay platforms for multiplex detection of biological toxins. Furthermore, we introduce several commercially available detection technologies specialized for mobile or on-site identification of security sensitive toxins.
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Du Y, Xue J, Sun X, Wu D, Liu X, Ju H, Yang L, Wei Q. Oxygen Vacancy-Enhanced Electrochemiluminescence Sensing Strategy Using Luminol Thermally Encapsulated in Apoferritin as a Transducer for Biomarker Immunoassay. Anal Chem 2020; 92:8472-8479. [PMID: 32438803 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c01238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Oxygen vacancies (OVs) enhanced electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensing strategy using luminol thermally encapsulated in apoferritin (Lum@apoFt) as an efficient transducer was investigated for ultrasensitive biomarker detection. By applying the oxygen-defect engineering (ODE) strategy, the OVs enriched cobalt-iron oxide (r-CoFe2O4) was fabricated as the sensing substrate to boost the electron mobility and catalyze the generation of superoxide anion radical (O2•-) for signal amplification. It should be noted that r-CoFe2O4 with higher OVs density dramatically accelerated the ECL reaction between O2•- and luminol anionic radicals, achieving 6.5-fold stronger ECL output than CoFe2O4 with no or low OVs density. Moreover, facile encapsulation of approximate 412 luminol molecules in a single apoFt cavity was first realized by an efficient thermal-induction method. The obtained Lum@apoFt complexes exhibited well-maintained ECL efficiency and excellent biocompatibility for biological modifications. On this basis, a biosensor was developed for early diagnostics of squamous cell carcinomas by detecting its representative biomarker named cytokeratin 19 fragment 21-1 (CYFRA 21-1), from which excellent linearity was achieved in 0.5 pg/mL to 50 ng/mL with a detection limit of 0.14 pg/mL. This work not only put forward a novel idea of creating OVs enriched sensing interface with excellent signal-amplification function but also proposes a facile and robust methodology to design apoFt-based transducers for developing more practical nanoscale biosensors in early diagnostics of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Du
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Chemical Manufacturing and Accurate Detection, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, PR China
| | - Jingwei Xue
- Key Laboratory of Interfacial Reaction & Sensing Analysis in Universities of Shandong, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, PR China
| | - Xu Sun
- Key Laboratory of Interfacial Reaction & Sensing Analysis in Universities of Shandong, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, PR China
| | - Dan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Interfacial Reaction & Sensing Analysis in Universities of Shandong, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, PR China
| | - Xuejing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Interfacial Reaction & Sensing Analysis in Universities of Shandong, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, PR China
| | - Huangxian Ju
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Chemical Manufacturing and Accurate Detection, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, PR China
| | - Lei Yang
- Key Laboratory of Interfacial Reaction & Sensing Analysis in Universities of Shandong, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, PR China
| | - Qin Wei
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Chemical Manufacturing and Accurate Detection, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, PR China
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Di Pofi G, Favero G, Nigro Di Gregorio F, Ferretti E, Viaggiu E, Lucentini L. Multi-residue Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-High resolution mass spectrometric method for the analysis of 21 cyanotoxins in surface water for human consumption. Talanta 2020; 211:120738. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2020.120738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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18
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Su X, Sutarlie L, Loh XJ. Sensors, Biosensors, and Analytical Technologies for Aquaculture Water Quality. RESEARCH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2020; 2020:8272705. [PMID: 32149280 PMCID: PMC7048950 DOI: 10.34133/2020/8272705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In aquaculture industry, fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants are cultivated in fresh, salt, or brackish waters. The increasing demand of aquatic products has stimulated the rapid growth of aquaculture industries. How to effectively monitor and control water quality is one of the key concerns for aquaculture industry to ensure high productivity and high quality. There are four major categories of water quality concerns that affect aquaculture cultivations, namely, (1) physical parameters, e.g., pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and salinity, (2) organic contaminants, (3) biochemical hazards, e.g., cyanotoxins, and (4) biological contaminants, i.e., pathogens. While the physical parameters are affected by climate changes, the latter three are considered as environmental factors. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of sensors, biosensors, and analytical technologies available for monitoring aquaculture water quality. They include low-cost commercial sensors and sensor network setups for physical parameters. They also include chromatography, mass spectrometry, biochemistry, and molecular methods (e.g., immunoassays and polymerase chain reaction assays), culture-based method, and biophysical technologies (e.g., biosensors and nanosensors) for environmental contamination factors. According to the different levels of sophistication of various analytical techniques and the information they can provide (either fine fingerprint, highly accurate quantification, semiquantification, qualitative detection, or fast screening), we will comment on how they may be used as complementary tools, as well as their potential and gaps toward current demand of real-time, online, and/or onsite detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodi Su
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 2 Fusionopolis Way. Innovis #08-03, Singapore 138634
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Block S8, Level 3, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543
| | - Laura Sutarlie
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 2 Fusionopolis Way. Innovis #08-03, Singapore 138634
| | - Xian Jun Loh
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 2 Fusionopolis Way. Innovis #08-03, Singapore 138634
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan D. Richardson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29205, United States
| | - Susana Y. Kimura
- Department of Chemistry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
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Schulz K, Pöhlmann C, Dietrich R, Märtlbauer E, Elßner T. An Electrochemical Fiveplex Biochip Assay Based on Anti-Idiotypic Antibodies for Fast On-Site Detection of Bioterrorism Relevant Low Molecular Weight Toxins. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11120696. [PMID: 31795179 PMCID: PMC6950599 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11120696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Modern threats of bioterrorism force the need for multiple detection of biothreat agents to determine the presence or absence of such agents in suspicious samples. Here, we present a rapid electrochemical fiveplex biochip screening assay for detection of the bioterrorism relevant low molecular weight toxins saxitoxin, microcystin-LR, T-2 toxin, roridin A and aflatoxin B1 relying on anti-idiotypic antibodies as epitope-mimicking reagents. The proposed method avoids the use of potentially harmful toxin-protein conjugates usually mandatory for competitive immunoassays. The biochip is processed and analyzed on the automated and portable detection platform pBDi within 13.4 min. The fiveplex biochip assay revealed toxin group specificity to multiple congeners. Limits of detection were 1.2 ng/mL, 1.5 ng/mL, 0.4 ng/mL, 0.5 ng/mL and 0.6 ng/mL for saxitoxin, microcystin-LR, T-2 toxin, roridin A or aflatoxin B1, respectively. The robustness of the fiveplex biochip for real samples was demonstrated by detecting saxitoxin, microcystin-LR, HT-2 toxin, roridin A and aflatoxin B1 in contaminated human blood serum without elaborate sample preparation. Recovery rates were between 52–115% covering a wide concentration range. Thus, the developed robust fiveplex biochip assay can be used on-site to quickly detect one or multiple low molecular weight toxins in a single run.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Schulz
- Bruker Daltonik GmbH, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; (K.S.); (C.P.); (T.E.)
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Schönleutnerstr. 8, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany;
| | - Christopher Pöhlmann
- Bruker Daltonik GmbH, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; (K.S.); (C.P.); (T.E.)
| | - Richard Dietrich
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Schönleutnerstr. 8, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany;
| | - Erwin Märtlbauer
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Schönleutnerstr. 8, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany;
- Correspondence:
| | - Thomas Elßner
- Bruker Daltonik GmbH, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; (K.S.); (C.P.); (T.E.)
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21
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The Diversity of Cyanobacterial Toxins on Structural Characterization, Distribution and Identification: A Systematic Review. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11090530. [PMID: 31547379 PMCID: PMC6784007 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11090530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The widespread distribution of cyanobacteria in the aquatic environment is increasing the risk of water pollution caused by cyanotoxins, which poses a serious threat to human health. However, the structural characterization, distribution and identification techniques of cyanotoxins have not been comprehensively reviewed in previous studies. This paper aims to elaborate the existing information systematically on the diversity of cyanotoxins to identify valuable research avenues. According to the chemical structure, cyanotoxins are mainly classified into cyclic peptides, alkaloids, lipopeptides, nonprotein amino acids and lipoglycans. In terms of global distribution, the amount of cyanotoxins are unbalanced in different areas. The diversity of cyanotoxins is more obviously found in many developed countries than that in undeveloped countries. Moreover, the threat of cyanotoxins has promoted the development of identification and detection technology. Many emerging methods have been developed to detect cyanotoxins in the environment. This communication provides a comprehensive review of the diversity of cyanotoxins, and the detection and identification technology was discussed. This detailed information will be a valuable resource for identifying the various types of cyanotoxins which threaten the environment of different areas. The ability to accurately identify specific cyanotoxins is an obvious and essential aspect of cyanobacterial research.
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