Analysis of Microcystin by GC/MS

Introduction

Microcystin is a liver toxin produced by blue-green algae, which occur in large quantities due to eutrophication in lakes and marshes. The toxicity, expressed in terms of the median lethal intraperitoneal dose (LD/50) in mice, is about 100μg/kg. Efforts are being made to develop technology to control this generation of the toxic blue algae and ways to neutralize such toxic substance. However, it is difficult to control all water sources, and ensuring the safe supply of drinking water is an important issue. This Application News introduces an example of analyzing 2-methyl-3-methoxy-4-phenylbutyric acid (MMPB), a decomposition product of microcystin.

August 26, 2004 GMT