About this Research Topic
Cyanotoxins produced by toxic cyanobacteria pose significant risks to human health, aquatic life, and entire ecosystems, as they can accumulate in the environment and enter the food chain. Notable cyanotoxins include microcystins, cylindrospermopsins, anatoxins, saxitoxins, lyngbyatoxin, and aplysiatoxins. Several factors contribute to the formation of harmful algal or cyanobacterial blooms (HABs) in both freshwater and marine environments. These factors include rising temperatures, increased light attenuation, and higher pH levels, along with the presence of phosphates, nitrogen, and other organic matter. These substances often enter water bodies through untreated domestic sewage, industrial waste, and agricultural runoff contaminated by livestock feces. Together, these conditions promote the production of cyanotoxins.
Cyanotoxins are released into water bodies when an algal bloom dies off. However, live cyanobacterial cells can also release cyanotoxins into the water. The presence of these toxins in drinking and recreational water poses serious health risks globally, a concern acknowledged by environmental regulatory bodies such as the European Committee and the WHO. The global presence of cyanotoxins threatens the availability of safe water for daily use, highlighting the need for more effective solutions to remove these toxins. Conventional methods, particularly in developing countries, often fail to completely eliminate or reduce cyanotoxins. Additionally, water or seafood contaminated with cyanotoxins is odorless, tasteless, and cannot be decontaminated by cooking. Therefore, developing efficient, cost-effective, and highly sensitive methods for detecting cyanotoxins at low levels is essential. These methods could serve as routine, high-throughput tools for fast regulatory water quality monitoring.
The aim of this Research Topic is to provide a platform for researchers to showcase their latest research in developing new tools for detecting cyanotoxins. The Topic also welcomes submissions involving improvements to existing methodologies, focusing on sensitivity and specificity. This Research Topic emphasizes cutting-edge methods for detecting and removing cyanotoxins, including innovative approaches such as the creation of specialized structures for enhanced extraction, the development of sensors for on-site detection, and the use of advanced materials and devices for precise and accessible monitoring. Techniques for colorimetric and fluorescence-based detection, particularly applications in resource-limited settings, are also of interest.
Authors are encouraged to submit original research papers, reviews, and perspectives related to the themes mentioned above.
Cyanotoxins are released into water bodies when an algal bloom dies off. However, live cyanobacterial cells can also release cyanotoxins into the water. The presence of these toxins in drinking and recreational water poses serious health risks globally, a concern acknowledged by environmental regulatory bodies such as the European Committee and the WHO. The global presence of cyanotoxins threatens the availability of safe water for daily use, highlighting the need for more effective solutions to remove these toxins. Conventional methods, particularly in developing countries, often fail to completely eliminate or reduce cyanotoxins. Additionally, water or seafood contaminated with cyanotoxins is odorless, tasteless, and cannot be decontaminated by cooking. Therefore, developing efficient, cost-effective, and highly sensitive methods for detecting cyanotoxins at low levels is essential. These methods could serve as routine, high-throughput tools for fast regulatory water quality monitoring.
The aim of this Research Topic is to provide a platform for researchers to showcase their latest research in developing new tools for detecting cyanotoxins. The Topic also welcomes submissions involving improvements to existing methodologies, focusing on sensitivity and specificity. This Research Topic emphasizes cutting-edge methods for detecting and removing cyanotoxins, including innovative approaches such as the creation of specialized structures for enhanced extraction, the development of sensors for on-site detection, and the use of advanced materials and devices for precise and accessible monitoring. Techniques for colorimetric and fluorescence-based detection, particularly applications in resource-limited settings, are also of interest.
Authors are encouraged to submit original research papers, reviews, and perspectives related to the themes mentioned above.
Keywords: cyanotoxins, environmental toxicology
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
