Analytical Methods for Anatoxin-a Determination: A Review

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Toxicology

Background:

• Anatoxin-a (ATX-a) is a potent neurotoxin produced by cyanobacteria, posing significant public health risks.
• Increasing prevalence of harmful cyanobacterial blooms necessitates reliable detection and quantification of ATX-a.
• Exposure to ATX-a can lead to severe health consequences, including neurological disorders and fatalities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compile and review analytical methods for detecting and quantifying ATX-a, both alone and in mixtures with other cyanotoxins.
• To assess the suitability of various analytical methods based on sample type, available equipment, and required sensitivity/specificity.
• To identify gaps in current analytical methodologies, particularly for complex matrices like food products.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of analytical methods for ATX-a detection and quantification.
• Classification of methods based on their principles, applications, and performance characteristics.
• Focus on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) as a predominant quantification technique.

Main Results:

• Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is the most widely adopted technique for ATX-a quantification.
• Current methods primarily focus on water and cyanobacterial samples, with a need for validated methods in food matrices.
• A growing trend towards multitoxin detection methods reflects the natural co-occurrence of cyanotoxins.

Conclusions:

• Appropriate selection of analytical methods is crucial for accurate ATX-a assessment in public health surveillance.
• Development and validation of methods for complex matrices are essential to evaluate dietary exposure risks.
• Multitoxin analysis is increasingly important for a comprehensive understanding of cyanotoxin contamination.