Methods for rapid extraction of microcystin-LR and microcystin-RR.

Abstract

Simple analysis methods using microwave and boiling waterbath to solve the problem for microcystin-LR (MCLR) and microcystin-RR (MCRR) extraction from cyanobacteria cells were studied as a substitute for the traditional solvent extraction methods. Standards were used to confirm the feasibility and efficiency of both methods. Results showed that incubation in microwave (800W) and boiling waterbath for 10 minutes did not affect the structure of standards. And the efficiency of extraction from cultured toxic Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7820 in both rapid methods were correlative to the classical 5% acetic acid and 70% methanol methods with S. D. of 4.6% for MCLR and 1.7% for MCRR. So both methods are convenient and reliable with the advantage of avoiding the expenditure of organic solvents and the interference with the subsequent biochemical detection from the residues of organic solvents. The method has been applied to analysis of field sample from a blooming pond.