Human exposure to cyanobacteria and BMAA

Amyotroph Lateral Scler. 2009:10 Suppl 2:85-95. doi: 10.3109/17482960903273585.

Abstract

Cyanobacteria are found worldwide, primarily in aquatic habitats. They are increasing in abundance as a result of increasing nutrient inputs from various human activities. Recent data indicate that most cyanobacteria produce the neurotoxin beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), and this toxin can biomagnify UP some food chains to rather high concentrations in animals used as food by humans. BMAA may pose an increasing human health risk.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids, Diamino / toxicity*
  • Amino Acids, Dicarboxylic / toxicity*
  • Animals
  • Biological Evolution
  • Cyanobacteria / chemistry*
  • Cyanobacteria / physiology*
  • Ecosystem
  • Eukaryota / chemistry
  • Food Chain
  • Foodborne Diseases / epidemiology
  • Foodborne Diseases / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Neurotoxins / toxicity*
  • Nitrogen / metabolism
  • Phosphorus / metabolism
  • Seasons

Substances

  • Amino Acids, Diamino
  • Amino Acids, Dicarboxylic
  • Neurotoxins
  • alpha-N-carboxy-beta-N-methylaminoalanine
  • Phosphorus
  • Nitrogen