Measurement of microcystin -LR in water samples using improved HPLC method

Glob J Health Sci. 2014 Sep 28;7(2):66-70. doi: 10.5539/gjhs.v7n2p66.

Abstract

Microcystins are a group of toxic compounds produced by freshwater cyanobacteria and cause diseases. World Health Organization has recommended a concentration of 1 µg/l for Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) in potable water as guideline value. The high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) followed by C18 analytical column and ultra violet detector for detection of MC-LR. In this regard, 5 different concentrations of MC-LR solutions were injected into HPLC. MC-LR was detected in 5.33 minute retention time and Calibration curve was achieved with R(2) = 0.988. Detection limit for this method was obtained by using acetonitrile solutions (32% and 55%) as a gradient run and a high silanol activity column equal to 0.02 µg /mL. Despite no acidic organic modifier being used in the mixture of solvents, the sensitivity of this method was appropriate for detection of MC-LR. Because of short retention time, reduction in number of solvents and high resolution and suitable sensitivity, this method is affordable and is fast for detection and determination of MC-LR in potable water.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / methods*
  • Drinking Water / analysis*
  • Marine Toxins
  • Microcystins / analysis*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*

Substances

  • Drinking Water
  • Marine Toxins
  • Microcystins
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • cyanoginosin LR