Environ Exp Biol (2015) 13: 117–121

Cylindrospermopsin toxin production by cyanobacterial isolates from Kor River and evaluation of their effect using bioassay technique

Abstract

Cyanobacteria are a group of photosynthetic prokaryotes distributed worldwide. They are able to produce a wide range of secondary metabolites with diverse biological effects. he aim of this study was isolation and identification of cyanobacteria from Kor River waters and estimation of cylindrospermopsin toxin production. In total, 30 water samples were collected from six stations from Kor River. The samples were serially diluted (10⁻⁶) and then cultivated on BG 11 medium and incubated under illumination of 1500 to 2000 lux at 28 ± 2 °C with 12/12 h light/dark regime. Developed colonies were isolated on new media. For molecular identification, genome of each purified isolate was extracted by a modified DNG kit. A set of primers was used for PCR analysis, universal primer (CYA78IR/CYA359F) for Cyanobacter detection, and a set for detection of cylindrospermopsin synthesis (cynsulfF, cylnamR). In addition, the toxin was extracted and its effect was evaluated using bioassay technique. Cylindrospermopsin toxin was detected in one of three isolates. Toxicity testing on Wistar rats showed flaccid paralysis and dyspnea. Overall, as cyanobacteria toxin threatens human and animal life, it is necessary to be aware and evaluate waters of this geographical area.