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Investigating the Potential of Toxins from Cyanobacterial Growth in Bioterrorism: The Need to Protective-Management Strategies for Aquaculture Center Employees
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Ali Reza Radkhah   , Soheil Eagderi * , Hadi Poorbagher , Sedigheh Atash Afrazeh |
| Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran |
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Abstract: (798 Views) |
Blue-green algae or cyanobacteria are a group of algae that are able to grow rapidly in warm and nutrient-rich waters. The exponential growth of cyanobacteria in water bodies is affected by various factors, including an excess of nutrients, high temperatures, and excessive sunlight. Numerous studies have shown that with the increase in the growth of cyanobacteria in aquatic systems, there is also a possibility of an increase in toxins produced by them, which can have adverse effects on the health of aquatic animals and especially humans. Given the importance of the health of employees and local people in marine environments as well as workers in aquaculture centers, the present study aimed to introduce the most important and common toxins resulting from the growth of cyanobacteria and also to investigate the risks arising from them in order to determine the potential of these toxins in bioterrorism. For this purpose, 12 types of cyanobacterial toxins including including microcystin, nodularin, anatoxin-a, homoanatoxin, oscillatoxin A, cylindrospermopsin, nakienones A-C, aphantoxin, scytophycin/lyngbyatoxin, aplysiatoxin, and debromoaplysiatoxin were investigated. The results showed that among the aforementioned toxins, microcystin has received the most attention in scientific research compared to others, which can be attributed to the global prevalence of this toxin and its effects on human health. The effects of microcystin have often been manifested in the form of gastrointestinal diseases, liver and nerve damage, and cancer. Considering the adverse effects of these toxins, it is essential to employ various techniques to control and reduce the risks arising from the growth of cyanobacteria, as well as to adopt appropriate management decisions and strategies regarding the health of marine workers and people working in aquaculture centers who are exposed to the growth of cyanobacteria and their toxins. |
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| Keywords: Cyanobacteria, Biological Toxins, Microcystin, Aquaculture Workers, Bioterrorism. |
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Full-Text [PDF 2079 kb]
(154 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Review |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2024/07/27 | Accepted: 2024/08/19 | Published: 2024/08/19
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