An Analytical Method for Simultaneous Measurement of Various Cyanotoxins Using Stable Isotope-Labeled Surrogates and a Microbial Flora Analysis to Assign Each Cyanotoxin to its Source

Cyanotoxins produced by blue-green algae in lakes are among the most serious threats to water quality worldwide. As global warming rapidly extends the locations and timing of blue-green algae blooms, a simple and accessible method for the detection and quantification of cyanotoxins in fresh water is increasingly necessary. Here, a quick, simple and accessible simultaneous analytical method for five cyanotoxins (cylindrospermopsin, anatoxin-a, microcystin-RR, YR and LR) is reported. This method has three advantages. First, it does not require complicated operations, such as a concentration operation. Second, it employs an HPLC column without high pressure. Third, the use of stable isotope-labeled surrogates enables correct identification and precise quantification of cyanotoxins. The method was applied to the lakes of Fukuoka Prefecture in Japan, and four of the five above-named cyanotoxins (i.e., all but cylindrospermopsin) were detected. The limits of quantification were 20–43 ng/L, which were considerably lower than the WHO guideline values. The recovery levels were 97–104%. Microbial flora analysis revealed that the sources of anatoxin-a were Pseudanabaena limnetica and Cuspidothrix issatschenkoi, and the source of microcystins was the group A1 of Microcystis aeruginosa. This study provides a quick, easy and accessible method for the worldwide monitoring of cyanotoxin levels.