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Distribution of microcystin synthetase genes in filamentous cyanobacterial phytoplankton and production of microcystin in water samples collected from Eastern Madhya Pradesh, India

Author Affiliations

  • 1Cyanobacterial Research Laboratory, Department of Post Graduate Studies and Research in Biological Science, Rani Durgavati University, Jabalpur, MP, India
  • 2Cyanobacterial Research Laboratory, Department of Post Graduate Studies and Research in Biological Science, Rani Durgavati University, Jabalpur, MP, India
  • 3Cyanobacterial Research Laboratory, Department of Post Graduate Studies and Research in Biological Science, Rani Durgavati University, Jabalpur, MP, India

Int. Res. J. Biological Sci., Volume 6, Issue (2), Pages 22-29, February,10 (2017)

Abstract

The important value index, which is sum of relative abundance, biovolume and frequency, was calculated for different cyanobacterial genera present in phytoplankton scum/mat material in ten water bodies located in three districts of Eastern Madhya Pradesh. All such scum/mat samples were dominated by cyanobacteria mostly belonging to the genera Oscillatoria, Anabaena, Nostoc, Phormidium and Spirulina. The microcystin synthetase genes (mcyABDE) were detected in all cyanobacterial scum/mats samples indicating that toxic genotypes of cyanobacteria constituted the populations. Despite ubiquitous presence, mcy genes displayed quite a patchy distribution pattern, and rarely all the four genes were present together. Present study showed amplification of mcyA (80%), mcyB (60%), mcyD (50%) and mcyE (80%) genes. The dissolved microcystin content in the waters harbouring cyanobacterial populations was determined by semi-quantitative ELISA. About 30% water bodies contained the free microcystins below 0.5 ppb, whereas the remaining ones showed presence of the toxin in a range of 0.5-3.0 ppb. These values are well below 1 µg L-1 microcystin, a benchmark set for safe use of water for drinking and recreational purposes according to WHO guidelines.

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