ELISA and LC-MS/MS methods for determining cyanobacterial toxins in blue-green algae food supplements
Authors: Bruno, M.1; Fiori, M.2; Mattei, D.1; Melchiorre, S.1; Messineo, V.1; Volpi, F.1; Bogialli, S.3; Nazzari, M.3
Source: Natural Product Research, Volume 20, Number 9, 20 July 2006 , pp. 827-834(8)
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Ltd
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Abstract:
The use of natural products as a diet supplement is increasing worldwide but sometimes is not followed by adequate sanitary controls and analyses. Twenty samples of pills and capsules of lyophilised cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), commercialised in Italy as dietary supplements, were found positive at the Vibrio fischeri bioassay. Further analyses with ELISA and LC-MS/MS methods revealed the presence of four microcystin (MC) analogues, MC-LR, -YR, -LA, -RR and two demethylated forms of MC-RR. The highest total microcystin content was 4.5 and 1.4µgg −1 in pills and capsules, respectively. The ELISA measurements, compared to the LC-MS/MS analyses, showed significantly lower concentrations of microcystins in pills, this confirming a possible ELISA underestimate of mixed microcystins, due to different sensitivities for some toxic analogues.Keywords: Cyanobacteria; Microcystins; Food supplements; ELISA; LC-MS/MS analysis
Document Type: Research article
DOI: 10.1080/14786410500410859
Affiliations: 1: Department of Environment and Primary Prevention, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, V.le Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy 2: Department of Food and Animal Safety, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, V.le Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy 3: Department of Chemistry, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, P.le Aldo Moro 1, 00161, Rome, Italy
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