Water Microcystin Analysis

Microcystins are a group of cyclic peptides secreted by certain cyanobacteria. Both drinking water and surface water can be contaminated with certain common algal toxins. BOC Sciences provides services for the detection and analysis of microcystins in water, including sample collection and pre-treatment, quantitative analysis, and microcystin treatment processes and techniques.

What are Microcystins

Blue-green algae are a common group of environmental bacteria that can be found in different types of ecosystems. When the environment is conducive to cyanobacterial growth, such as in stagnant water or slow-moving freshwater systems, the growth and reproduction of cyanobacteria is likely to get out of control, followed by algal blooms. In addition to the negative effects of blooms on the natural environment, certain species of cyanobacteria can also produce high concentrations of microcystins and knotweed toxins, which are toxic to many organisms and may threaten drinking water supplies.

Fig.1 Rapid detection and quantification of microcystins. ^[1]

Sample Collection and Pretreatment

Natural water samples were collected, filtered under reduced pressure through a membrane, and the filtrate was measured and placed in brown glass bottles. If the water sample cannot be analyzed immediately, it is stored at low temperature. The C18 solid phase extraction column was activated with methanol and pure water.

The aqueous filtrate was flowed uniformly through the C18 solid-phase extraction column at a certain flow rate for enrichment, and then eluted by washing and elution.

The eluted solution was concentrated to near dryness at 25 ℃ with a parallel concentrator, and then transferred to the injection vial after vortex mixing by adding methanol aqueous solution for instrumental analysis.

Quantitative Analysis of Microcystins in Water

Microcystins are often produced by algal blooms, and these toxins can kill marine organisms and have been shown to be lethal to humans. BOC Sciences can quantify known microcystins in the water during algal blooms using a liquid mass spectrometry system. To identify new microcystin variants, high-resolution accurate mass analysis is performed using quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-TOF) MS.

Microcystin Treatment Process

Microcystins are highly heat resistant and cannot be destroyed or removed by heating or boiling. Our traditional tap water treatment process of coagulation and sedimentation, filtration, and chlorination cannot remove them either, and requires a more in-depth drinking water treatment process for the specific water quality characteristics of the local area. Otherwise, if the local tap water source water suffers from algal toxin contamination, then the safety of tap water in residents' homes is alarming.

Microcystins Treatment Technology

• Biofilter

Biofilter is a common biofilm reactor, where wastewater is purified by contact with the biofilm formed on the surface of the filter media.

• Ecological floating bed

Ecological floating beds are artificially created beds floating on the water surface. Aquatic plants or terrestrial plants are transplanted into the beds to reduce the pollution load in the water body, especially to inhibit the growth of algae and remove algal toxins.

• Membrane biofilm reactor

Membrane biofilm reactor combines membrane separation technology and biofilm technology, mainly consisting of membrane module and bioreactor, which can effectively remove specific pollutants from water bodies, and is an emerging high-performance biological treatment technology for wastewater.