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Drobac Backović D, Tokodi N. Cyanotoxins in food: Exposure assessment and health impact. Food Res Int 2024; 184:114271. [PMID: 38609248 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2024.114271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
The intricate nature of cyanotoxin exposure through food reveals a complex web of risks and uncertainties in our dietary choices. With the aim of starting to unravel this intricate nexus, a comprehensive review of 111 papers from the past two decades investigating cyanotoxin contamination in food was undertaken. It revealed a widespread occurrence of cyanotoxins in diverse food sources across 31 countries. Notably, 68% of the studies reported microcystin concentrations exceeding established Tolerable Daily Intake levels. Cyanotoxins were detected in muscles of many fish species, and while herbivorous fish exhibited the highest recorded concentration, omnivorous species displayed a higher propensity for cyanotoxin accumulation, exemplified by Oreochromis niloticus. Beyond fish, crustaceans and bivalves emerged as potent cyanotoxin accumulators. Gaps persist regarding contamination of terrestrial and exotic animals and their products, necessitating further exploration. Plant contamination under natural conditions remains underreported, yet evidence underscores irrigation-driven cyanotoxin accumulation, particularly affecting leafy vegetables. Finally, cyanobacterial-based food supplements often harbored cyanotoxins (57 % of samples were positive) warranting heightened scrutiny, especially for Aphanizomenon flos-aquae-based products. Uncertainties surround precise concentrations due to methodological variations (chemical and biochemical) and extraction limitations, along with the enigmatic fate of toxins during storage, processing, and digestion. Nonetheless, potential health consequences of cyanotoxin exposure via contaminated food include gastrointestinal and neurological disorders, organ damage (e.g. liver, kidneys, muscles), and even elevated cancer risks. While microcystins received significant attention, knowledge gaps persist regarding other cyanotoxins' accumulation, exposure, and effects, as well as combined exposure via multiple pathways. Intriguing and complex, cyanotoxin exposure through food beckons further research for our safer and healthier diets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damjana Drobac Backović
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, Novi Sad 21000, Serbia
| | - Nada Tokodi
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, Novi Sad 21000, Serbia; Jagiellonian University, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Laboratory of Metabolomics, Gronostajowa 7, Krakow 30387, Poland.
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Haida M, El Khalloufi F, Mugani R, Essadki Y, Campos A, Vasconcelos V, Oudra B. Microcystin Contamination in Irrigation Water and Health Risk. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:196. [PMID: 38668621 PMCID: PMC11054416 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16040196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Microcystins (MCs), natural hepatotoxic compounds produced by cyanobacteria, pose significant risks to water quality, ecosystem stability, and the well-being of animals, plants, and humans when present in elevated concentrations. The escalating contamination of irrigation water with MCs presents a growing threat to terrestrial plants. The customary practice of irrigating crops from local water sources, including lakes and ponds hosting cyanobacterial blooms, serves as a primary conduit for transferring these toxins. Due to their high chemical stability and low molecular weight, MCs have the potential to accumulate in various parts of plants, thereby increasing health hazards for consumers of agricultural products, which serve as the foundation of the Earth's food chain. MCs can bioaccumulate, migrate, potentially biodegrade, and pose health hazards to humans within terrestrial food systems. This study highlights that MCs from irrigation water reservoirs can bioaccumulate and come into contact with plants, transferring into the food chain. Additionally, it investigates the natural mechanisms that organisms employ for conjugation and the microbial processes involved in MC degradation. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the role of MCs in the terrestrial food chain and to elucidate the specific health risks associated with consuming crops irrigated with water contaminated with these toxins, further research is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Haida
- Water, Biodiversity and Climate Change Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco; (M.H.); (R.M.); (Y.E.); (B.O.)
| | - Fatima El Khalloufi
- Natural Resources Engineering and Environmental Impacts Team, Multidisciplinary Research and Innovation Laboratory, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Khouribga, Sultan Moulay Slimane University of Beni Mellal, B.P, 45, Khouribga 25000, Morocco;
| | - Richard Mugani
- Water, Biodiversity and Climate Change Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco; (M.H.); (R.M.); (Y.E.); (B.O.)
| | - Yasser Essadki
- Water, Biodiversity and Climate Change Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco; (M.H.); (R.M.); (Y.E.); (B.O.)
| | - Alexandre Campos
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Vitor Vasconcelos
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal;
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Brahim Oudra
- Water, Biodiversity and Climate Change Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco; (M.H.); (R.M.); (Y.E.); (B.O.)
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Alhaithloul HAS, Mohamed ZA, Saber AA, Alsudays IM, Abdein MA, Alqahtani MM, AbuSetta NG, Elkelish A, Pérez LM, Albalwe FM, Bakr AA. Performance evaluation of Moringa oleifera seeds aqueous extract for removing Microcystis aeruginosa and microcystins from municipal treated-water. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 11:1329431. [PMID: 38362588 PMCID: PMC10868579 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1329431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Toxic microcystins (MCs) produced by cyanoprokaryotes -particularly by the cosmopolitan cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa- pose adverse effects on aquatic organisms and their ecosystem and may also cause serious impacts on human health. These harmful monocyclic heptapeptides are the most prevalent cyanotoxins reported in freshwaters and must be eliminated for avoiding MCs release in receiving water bodies. Hence, this work aimed to test the efficacy of Moringa oleifera seeds water-based extract (MO) as a natural coagulant for removing cyanobacteria (especially M. aeruginosa), microalgae, and its associated MCs from pre-treated municipal wastewaters. Methodology: Four different MO coagulant doses (25, 50, 75 and 100 mg L-1) were investigated for cyanobacteria and microalgae removal by conventional coagulation assays and morphology-based taxonomy studies. Additionally, water turbidity and chlorophyll a (Chl a) content were also determined. Further, the presence and concentration of MCs soluble in water, remaining in the particulate fraction, and flocculated within the residual sludge were assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). Results: The treatment with MO at 100 mg L-1 substantially reduced the number of cyanobacterial and microalgal species in the treated samples (average removal rate of 93.8% and 86.9%, respectively). These results agreed with a ∼44% concomitant reduction in Chl a and ∼97% reduction in water turbidity (a surrogate marker for suspended solids content). Notably, MCs concentrations in the treated water were significantly lowered to 0.6 ± 0.1 µg L-1 after addition of 100 mg L-1 MO. This value is below the WHO recommended limits for MCs presence in drinking water (<1.0 µg L-1). Discussion: The present study provides promising insights into the applicability of MO as a cost-effective, reliable, and sustainable natural coagulant, particularly for using in developing countries, to eliminate harmful cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in municipal water treatment facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zakaria A. Mohamed
- Microbiology and Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Abdullah A. Saber
- Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Mohamed A. Abdein
- Seeds Development Department, El-Nada Misr Scientific Research and Development Projects, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Mesfer M. Alqahtani
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Humanities, Shaqra University, Shaqraa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Noha G. AbuSetta
- Microbiology and Botany Department, Faculty of Science, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
| | - Amr Elkelish
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Leonardo Martín Pérez
- Facultad de Química e Ingeniería del Rosario, Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA), Rosario, Argentina
- Laboratory of Environmental and Sanitary Microbiology (MSMLab-UPC), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-BarcelonaTech, Terrassa, Spain
| | | | - Asmaa A. Bakr
- Microbiology and Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
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Yang Y, Gong P, Long X, Jiang Y, Ye M, Tao S, Su Y, Yang F, Tian L. Microcystin-LR Induces and Aggravates Colitis through NLRP3 Inflammasome-Mediated Pyroptosis in Mice. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:447. [PMID: 37505716 PMCID: PMC10467093 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15070447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, lifelong gastrointestinal disease, characterized by periods of activity and remission. The etiology of IBD is closely related to environmental factors. Previous studies have shown that the cyanotoxin microcystin-LR (MC-LR) causes intestinal damage, even IBD. To explore MC-LR's effects and potential mechanisms on IBD occurrence and development, we used dextran-sulfate sodium gavage (DSS) and MC-LR together for the first time in mice. There were four groups of mice: (A) mice given PBS gavage (control, CT); (B) mice given 3% DSS gavage (DSS); (C) mice given 200 µg/kg MC-LR gavage (MC-LR); and (D) mice given 3% DSS + 200 µg/kg MC-LR gavage (DSS + MC-LR). Compared with the CT group, the MC-LR group and the DSS group demonstrated more severe colitis results, which presented as higher weight loss, an increased Disease Activity Index (DAI) score, shorter colon length, a higher degree of tissue structural damage, more apoptotic cells, and greater pro-inflammatory cytokines. Similarly, the DSS + MC-LR group showed more severe colitis compared with the DSS group. Subsequent experiments confirmed that MC-LR or DSS increased the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins mediated by the nucleotide-binding domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3). Likewise, compared with the DSS group, the DSS + MC-LR group expressed these proteins at a higher level. In conclusion, our research is the first to show that MC-LR may induce colitis, and even IBD, through NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis, and it could aggravate DSS-induced colitis in the same way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China; (Y.Y.); (P.G.); (X.L.); (M.Y.); (S.T.)
| | - Pan Gong
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China; (Y.Y.); (P.G.); (X.L.); (M.Y.); (S.T.)
| | - Xiuyan Long
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China; (Y.Y.); (P.G.); (X.L.); (M.Y.); (S.T.)
| | - Yuanjuan Jiang
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China;
| | - Mingmei Ye
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China; (Y.Y.); (P.G.); (X.L.); (M.Y.); (S.T.)
| | - Sifan Tao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China; (Y.Y.); (P.G.); (X.L.); (M.Y.); (S.T.)
| | - Yahui Su
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, 172 Tongzipo Road, Changsha 410078, China;
| | - Fei Yang
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Typical Environmental Pollution and Health Hazards, School of Public Health, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China;
- Hengyang Medical School, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Li Tian
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China; (Y.Y.); (P.G.); (X.L.); (M.Y.); (S.T.)
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Redouane EM, Tazart Z, Lahrouni M, Mugani R, Elgadi S, Zine H, Zerrifi SEA, Haida M, Martins JC, Campos A, Oufdou K, Vasconcelos V, Oudra B. Health risk assessment of lake water contaminated with microcystins for fruit crop irrigation and farm animal drinking. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:80234-80244. [PMID: 37294489 PMCID: PMC10344998 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27914-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The health risks linked to the consumption of microcystin-accumulating crops have been increasing worldwide in toxic cyanobloom-occurring regions. The bioaccumulation of microcystins (MCs) in agricultural produce at environmentally realistic concentrations is poorly investigated. In this field study, we assessed the health risks of MCs in raw water used for irrigating fruit crops (bioaccumulation) and watering farm animals in the Lalla Takerkoust agricultural region (Marrakesh, Morocco). Thus, MCs were extracted from water and fruit samples and quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in order to calculate the health risk indicators. MCs posed a high health-risk level to poultry and horses, with estimated daily intakes (EDI) being 14- and 19-fold higher than the recommended limits (3.1 and 2.3 μg MC-LR L-1), respectively. Furthermore, pomegranate posed the same level of risk, with EDI being 22- and 53-fold higher than the limit dose (0.04 μg MC-LR kg-1) for adults and children, respectively. There was an urgent need for guidelines regarding water use and management in MC-polluted areas, besides the setup of nature-based tools for toxin removal from raw water used in farming practices. Moreover, MCs could contaminate the human food chain, which implies further investigations of their potential accumulation in livestock- and poultry-based food.
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Affiliation(s)
- El Mahdi Redouane
- Water, Biodiversity and Climate Change Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, 40000, Marrakech, Morocco
- CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Zakaria Tazart
- Water, Biodiversity and Climate Change Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, 40000, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - Majida Lahrouni
- Water, Biodiversity and Climate Change Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, 40000, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - Richard Mugani
- Water, Biodiversity and Climate Change Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, 40000, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - Sara Elgadi
- Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnologies, Agrosciences, and Environment (BioMAgE), Labeled Research Unit-CNRST N°4, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, 40000, Marrakech, Morocco
- Laboratory of Agro. Food Technology and Quality, Regional Center for Agronomic Research of Marrakech, National Institute of Agronomic Research (INRA), 40000, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - Hamza Zine
- Geology and Sustainable Mining Institute (GSMI), Mohammad VI Polytechnic University, 43150, Ben Guerir, Morocco
| | - Soukaina El Amrani Zerrifi
- Water, Biodiversity and Climate Change Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, 40000, Marrakech, Morocco
- Higher Institute of Nurses Professions and Health Techniques of Guelmim, 81000, Guelmim, Morocco
| | - Mohammed Haida
- Water, Biodiversity and Climate Change Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, 40000, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - José Carlos Martins
- CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Alexandre Campos
- CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Khalid Oufdou
- Laboratory of Microbial Biotechnologies, Agrosciences, and Environment (BioMAgE), Labeled Research Unit-CNRST N°4, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, 40000, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - Vitor Vasconcelos
- CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal.
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Brahim Oudra
- Water, Biodiversity and Climate Change Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, 40000, Marrakech, Morocco
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Teneva I, Velikova V, Belkinova D, Moten D, Dzhambazov B. Allelopathic Potential of the Cyanotoxins Microcystin-LR and Cylindrospermopsin on Green Algae. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:1403. [PMID: 36987092 PMCID: PMC10057654 DOI: 10.3390/plants12061403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Allelopathic interactions are widespread in all aquatic habitats, among all groups of aquatic primary biomass producers, including cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria are producers of potent toxins called cyanotoxins, whose biological and ecological roles, including their allelopathic influence, are still incompletely understood. The allelopathic potential of the cyanotoxins microcystin-LR (MC-LR) and cylindrospermopsin (CYL) on green algae (Chlamydomonas asymmetrica, Dunaliella salina, and Scenedesmus obtusiusculus) was established. Time-dependent inhibitory effects on the growth and motility of the green algae exposed to cyanotoxins were detected. Changes in their morphology (cell shape, granulation of the cytoplasm, and loss of flagella) were also observed. The cyanotoxins MC-LR and CYL were found to affect photosynthesis to varying degrees in the green algae Chlamydomonas asymmetrica, Dunaliella salina, and Scenedesmus obtusiusculus, affecting chlorophyll fluorescence parameters such as the maximum photochemical activity (Fv/Fm) of photosystem II (PSII), the non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence (NPQ), and the quantum yield of the unregulated energy dissipation Y(NO) in PSII. In the context of ongoing climate change and the associated expectations of the increased frequency of cyanobacterial blooms and released cyanotoxins, our results demonstrated the possible allelopathic role of cyanotoxins on competing autotrophs in the phytoplankton communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivanka Teneva
- Faculty of Biology, Paisii Hilendarski University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Violeta Velikova
- Institute of Plant Physiology and Genetics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
- Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Detelina Belkinova
- Faculty of Biology, Paisii Hilendarski University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Dzhemal Moten
- Faculty of Biology, Paisii Hilendarski University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Balik Dzhambazov
- Faculty of Biology, Paisii Hilendarski University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
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