Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2025
07:13
Early Detection of Cyanobacterial Blooms and Associated Cyanotoxins using Fast Detection Strategy
Published on: February 25, 2021
3.8K
A systematic review on guanitoxin: General characteristics and ecological risks.
Kelly Afonsina Fernandes1, Jéssica Chaves Fadul1, Marli Fátima Fiore1
1Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo. Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil.
Chemosphere
|February 2, 2024
Summary
Guanitoxin (GNT) is a potent cyanotoxin. Research focuses on its effects, identification, and occurrence in eutrophic waters, particularly in the Americas, despite analytical challenges.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Toxicology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Guanitoxin (GNT) is a potent cyanotoxin with limited research publications compared to other toxins.
- Studies on GNT primarily investigate its toxic effects on animals and in vitro systems (35%), and its occurrence in aquatic environments linked to cyanobacteria (27%).
Approach:
- Analysis of 51 publications reveals research distribution: animal/in vitro effects (35%), cyanobacteria identification and poisoning (27%), analytical methods (14%), biosynthesis (8%), reviews/isolation (6%), and stability (4%).
- Geographical distribution shows GNT occurrence predominantly in eutrophic environments, with a higher incidence noted in the Americas.
Key Points:
- GNT exhibits chemical characteristics like a short environmental half-life and instability at alkaline pH and temperatures above 23°C.
- Lack of an analytical standard poses significant challenges for GNT identification and quantification.
- Monitoring GNT is feasible using advanced techniques like LC-MS-MRM or by targeting specific genes.
Conclusions:
- Despite analytical difficulties, GNT monitoring is achievable through specific methodologies.
- Further research is needed to address the challenges in GNT detection and quantification.
Related Concept Videos
01:36Types of Toxins
1.7K
Humans continually engage with an environment rich in potentially harmful chemicals. These are introduced to our bodies through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. These chemicals exist in various forms, such as air and environmental pollutants, agricultural chemicals, organic solvents, and heavy metals.
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
1.7K
01:26Toxic Reactions: Overview
975
When toxic substances penetrate the human body, they disseminate to various tissues, undergoing metabolic changes. This process yields reactive metabolites that may covalently bind with specific target molecules, resulting in toxicity.
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...
975
01:14Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison
823
In cases of acute poisoning, the primary objective is to prevent further absorption of the toxic substance into the body. Immediate interventions using various decontamination techniques targeting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can achieve this. Decontamination is crucial to prevent poison from entering the systemic circulation, which involves washing affected areas with water and mild soap and removing contaminated clothing. Once external decontamination is done, attention must be turned to...
823
01:17Antidotes
649
Antidotes are medicinal substances used to counteract the harmful effects of toxins or drugs in the body. They function in various ways, each uniquely designed to combat specific toxic compounds.
Specific antidotes operate by inhibiting the enzymes that control biochemical pathways, reducing the production of harmful metabolites.
An example of an antidote is atropine, which counteracts the detrimental effects of cholinesterase inhibitors. It achieves this by deactivating muscarinic receptors,...
Specific antidotes operate by inhibiting the enzymes that control biochemical pathways, reducing the production of harmful metabolites.
An example of an antidote is atropine, which counteracts the detrimental effects of cholinesterase inhibitors. It achieves this by deactivating muscarinic receptors,...
649