African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 6 (21), pp. 2451-2457, 5 November 2007   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2007 Academic Journals        

Full Length Research Paper

Optimization of laboratory scale production and purification of microcystin-LR from pure cultures of Microcystis aeruginosa

Phelan R. R. and Downing T. G.*

Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, NMMU, P.O. BOX 77000, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, 6031, South Africa.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: Tim.Downing@nmmu.ac.za.

Accepted 25 September, 2007

Microcystin is the most common of the cyanobacterial hepatotoxins with more than 65 known variants. Increased nutrient loading of fresh and coastal water bodies has lead to an increased occurrence of cyanobacterial blooms, many of which are microcystin producing. Due to a limited commercial supply of, and difficulties in obtaining, microcystin standards, there has been an increased interest in production of purified microcystin for the use as standards in analytical laboratories. Microcystin content is however highly variable and optimised culture conditions are essential to produce viable yields of microcystin for purification. We describe the optimization of culture conditions and evaluation of various purification methods to enhance the yield of microcystin from laboratory scale culture.

Key words: Microcystin, purification, standards.