Feasibility study on production of a matrix reference material for cyanobacterial toxins.

The worldwide increase in cyanobacterial contamination of freshwater lakes and rivers is of great concern as many cyanobacteria produce potent hepatotoxins and neurotoxins (cyanotoxins). Such toxins pose a threat to aquatic ecosystems, livestock, and drinking water supplies. In addition, dietary supplements prepared from cyanobacteria can pose a risk to consumers if they contain toxins. Analytical monitoring for toxins in the environment and in consumer products is essential for the protection of public health. Reference materials (RMs) are an essential tool for the development and validation of analytical methods and are necessary for ongoing quality control of monitoring operations. Since the availability of appropriate RMs for cyanotoxins has been very limited, the present study was undertaken to examine the feasibility of producing a cyanobacterial matrix RM containing various cyanotoxins. The first step was large-scale culturing of various cyanobacterial cultures that produce anatoxins, microcystins, and cylindrospermopsins. After harvesting, the biomass was lyophilized, blended, homogenized, milled, and bottled. The moisture content and physical characteristics were assessed in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the production process. Toxin levels were measured by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry and ultraviolet detection. The reference material was found to be homogeneous for toxin content. Stability studies showed no significant degradation of target toxins over a period of 310 days at temperatures up to +40 °C except for the anatoxin-a, which showed some degradation at +40 °C. These results show that a fit-for-purpose matrix RM for cyanotoxins can be prepared using the processes and techniques applied in this work.

Single vial freeze-dried TRODAT-1 kit: preparation and demonstration of clinical efficacy of [(99m)Tc]TRODAT-1 in Indian scenario.

A single vial freeze-dried kit formulation for preparation of three patients' dose of [(99m)Tc]TRODAT-1 has been developed for early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Kits were evaluated to ascertain the purity, stability and batch to batch variations. Preclinical evaluation was carried out in laboratory animals and clinical imaging was performed in human patients with PD. The labeling yield and purity of [(99m)Tc]TRODAT-1 was >90%. Swiss mice showed retention of [(99m)Tc]TRODAT-1 in the mid brain region. Clinical studies showed decreased striatal uptake with increasing severity of PD.

Determination of anatoxin-a in environmental water samples by solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

In the present work, a method was developed and optimized aiming at the determination of anatoxin-a in environmental water samples. The method is based on the direct derivatization of the analyte by adding hexylchloroformate in the alkalinized sample (pH = 9.0). The derivatized anatoxin-a was extracted by a solid-phase microextraction (SPME) procedure, submersing a PDMS fiber in an amber vial for 20 min under magnetic stirring. GC-MS was used to identify and quantify the analyte in the SIM mode. Norcocaine was used as internal standard. The following ions were chosen for SIM analyses (quantification ions in italics): anatoxin-a: 191, 164, 293 and norcocaine: 195, 136, 168. The calibration curve showed linearity in the range of 2.5-200 ng/mL and the LOD was 2 ng/mL. This method of SPME and GC-MS analysis can be readily utilized to monitor anatoxin-a for water quality control.