Investigation of the Occurrence of Cyanotoxins in Lake Karaoun (Lebanon) by Mass Spectrometry, Bioassays and Molecular Methods

Noura Alice Hammoud; Sevasti-Kiriaki Zervou; Triantafyllos Kaloudis; Christophoros Christophoridis; Aikaterina Paraskevopoulou; Theodoros M. Triantis; Kamal Slim; Joanna Szpunar; Ali Fadel; Ryszard Lobinski; Anastasia Hiskia

doi:10.3390/toxins13100716

Toxins (Oct 2021)

Investigation of the Occurrence of Cyanotoxins in Lake Karaoun (Lebanon) by Mass Spectrometry, Bioassays and Molecular Methods

Noura Alice Hammoud,
Sevasti-Kiriaki Zervou,
Triantafyllos Kaloudis,
Christophoros Christophoridis,
Aikaterina Paraskevopoulou,
Theodoros M. Triantis,
Kamal Slim,
Joanna Szpunar,
Ali Fadel,
Ryszard Lobinski,
Anastasia Hiskia

Affiliations

Noura Alice Hammoud: National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS), P.O. Box 11-8281, Riad El Solh, Beirut 1107 2260, Lebanon
Sevasti-Kiriaki Zervou: Laboratory of Photo-Catalytic Processes and Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, National Center for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Patr. Grigoriou E’ & 27 Neapoleos Str., Agia Paraskevi, 15341 Athens, Greece
Triantafyllos Kaloudis: Laboratory of Photo-Catalytic Processes and Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, National Center for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Patr. Grigoriou E’ & 27 Neapoleos Str., Agia Paraskevi, 15341 Athens, Greece
Christophoros Christophoridis: Laboratory of Photo-Catalytic Processes and Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, National Center for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Patr. Grigoriou E’ & 27 Neapoleos Str., Agia Paraskevi, 15341 Athens, Greece
Aikaterina Paraskevopoulou: Laboratory of Photo-Catalytic Processes and Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, National Center for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Patr. Grigoriou E’ & 27 Neapoleos Str., Agia Paraskevi, 15341 Athens, Greece
Theodoros M. Triantis: Laboratory of Photo-Catalytic Processes and Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, National Center for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Patr. Grigoriou E’ & 27 Neapoleos Str., Agia Paraskevi, 15341 Athens, Greece
Kamal Slim: National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS), P.O. Box 11-8281, Riad El Solh, Beirut 1107 2260, Lebanon
Joanna Szpunar: Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l’Environnement et les Matériaux, Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM UMR 5254, Hélioparc, 64053 Pau, France
Ali Fadel: National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS), P.O. Box 11-8281, Riad El Solh, Beirut 1107 2260, Lebanon
Ryszard Lobinski: Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l’Environnement et les Matériaux, Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, IPREM UMR 5254, Hélioparc, 64053 Pau, France
Anastasia Hiskia: Laboratory of Photo-Catalytic Processes and Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, National Center for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Patr. Grigoriou E’ & 27 Neapoleos Str., Agia Paraskevi, 15341 Athens, Greece

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins13100716
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 13, no. 10
p. 716

Abstract

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Lake Karaoun is the largest artificial lake in Lebanon and serves multiple purposes. Recently, intensive cyanobacterial blooms have been reported in the lake, raising safety and aesthetic concerns related to the presence of cyanotoxins and cyanobacterial taste and odor (T&O) compounds, respectively. Here, we communicate for the first time results from a recent investigation by LC-MS/MS covering multiple cyanotoxins (microcystins (MCs), anatoxin-a, cylindrospermopsin, nodularin) in water and fish collected between 2019 and 2020. Eleven MCs were identified reaching concentrations of 211 and 199 μg/L for MC-LR and MC-YR, respectively. Cylindrospermopsin, anatoxin-a and nodularin were not detected. The determination of the total MCs was also carried out by ELISA and Protein Phosphatase Inhibition Assay yielding comparable results. Molecular detection of cyanobacteria (16S rRNA) and biosynthetic genes of toxins were carried out by qPCR. Untargeted screening analysis by GC-MS showed the presence of T&O compounds, such as β-cyclocitral, β-ionone, nonanal and dimethylsulfides that contribute to unpleasant odors in water. The determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) showed the presence of anthropogenic pollutants, mostly dichloromethane and toluene. The findings are important to develop future monitoring schemes in order to assess the risks from cyanobacterial blooms with regard to the lake’s ecosystem and its uses.

Published in Toxins

ISSN: 2072-6651 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/toxins/

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