Toxic cyanobacteria in reservoirs in northeastern Brazil: detection using a molecular method

Cyanobacterial blooms are a frequent occurrence in northeastern Brazil and constitute a serious public health problem. Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, eleven environmental samples with cyanobacteria from seven reservoirs were used to determine the presence of the gene involved in microcystin biosynthesis (mcyB). Two sets of oligonucleotide primers were designed from the sequencing of Brazilian populations of microcystin producing cyanobacteria (mcyB-F/R and mcyB-F/R-A). The presence of the mcyB gene involved in microcystin biosynthesis was found in all samples, indicating the potential of this gene for producing the toxin. The PCR method proved sensitive and appropriate for the detection of potential producers of microcystins in environmental samples. Its ability to reveal potentially toxic cyanobacteria demonstrates that it can be a valuable tool in the monitoring of blooms.