神经毒素β-N-甲氨基-L-丙氨酸(BMAA),由蓝细菌和硅藻产生,被认为是神经退行性疾病的环境危险因素。这项研究首先调查了BMAA及其异构体的发生和每月分布,2,4-二氨基丁酸(DAB)和N-2-氨基乙基甘氨酸(AEG),在整个2021年,来自韩国南海沿岸11个地点的浮游植物和贻贝中。这些毒素使用LC-MS/MS定量,从深秋到春季,BMAA浓度升高,在浮游植物和贻贝之间观察到相位滞后。11月检测到浮游植物中BMAA的最高浓度(平均值:1490ngg-1干重(dw)),而在贻贝中,它在12月达到峰值(平均:1240ngg-1dw)。在浮游植物中检测到DAB,但在贻贝中不存在DAB,表明有限的生物积累潜力。2月,浮游植物中DAB的峰值平均浓度为89ngg-1dw。在任何样品中均未检测到AEG。全年,叶绿素a浓度始终与贻贝中的BMAA浓度呈负相关。通过相关性分析,四个硅藻属,芽孢杆菌,Hemiaulus,Odontella,和Plerosigma,被鉴定为BMAA的潜在致病微藻。这项研究为确定BMAA的致病微藻提供了见解,并为未来有关未管理的生物毒素的监管工作提供了参考。
The neurotoxin β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), produced by cyanobacteria and diatoms, has been implicated as an environmental risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases. This study first investigated the occurrence and monthly distributions of BMAA and its isomers, 2,4-diaminobutyric acid (DAB) and N-2-aminoethylglycine (AEG), in phytoplankton and
mussels from 11 sites along the South Sea Coast of Korea throughout 2021. These toxins were quantified using LC-MS/MS, revealing elevated BMAA concentrations from late autumn to spring, with phase lags observed between phytoplankton and
mussels. The highest concentration of BMAA in phytoplankton was detected in November (mean: 1490 ng g-1 dry weight (dw)), while in
mussels, it peaked in December (mean: 1240 ng g-1 dw). DAB was detected in phytoplankton but was absent in
mussels, indicating limited bioaccumulation potential. In February, the peak mean DAB concentration in phytoplankton was 89 ng g-1 dw. AEG was not detected in any samples. Chlorophyll-a concentrations consistently showed an inverse correlation with BMAA concentrations in
mussels throughout the year. Through correlation analysis, four diatom genera, Bacillaria, Hemiaulus, Odontella, and Pleurosigma, were identified as potential causative microalgae of BMAA. This study offers insights into identifying the causative microalgae for BMAA and informs future regulatory efforts regarding unmanaged biotoxins.