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5/20/2019  |   9:15 AM - 9:30 AM   |  IDENTIFICATION OF THE NEUROTOXIN BETA-METHYLAMINO-L-ALANINE (BMAA) IN AUSTRALIAN FRESHWATER DIATOMS.   |  254 B

IDENTIFICATION OF THE NEUROTOXIN BETA-METHYLAMINO-L-ALANINE (BMAA) IN AUSTRALIAN FRESHWATER DIATOMS.

The amino acid beta-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) has been linked to numerous neurogenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in parts of the USA. BMAA is found globally and bioaccumulates in invertebrate and vertebrate organisms. BMAA is produced by some species of cyanobacteria, marine diatoms and marine dinoflagellates. However, to date, BMAA production has not been observed in freshwater diatoms. This study aimed to determine whether freshwater diatoms produce BMAA, which could potentially pose a major threat to freshwater ecosystems, recreational water and drinking water supplies, particularly as diatom blooms regularly go unmonitored and unmanaged. Five freshwater diatom species were isolated from five locations in New South Wales, Australia and axenic cultures were established. Amino acids were extracted from the diatom cultures and analysed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The production of BMAA by freshwater diatoms isolated from eastern Australian freshwater systems was confirmed, indicating a wider distribution of BMAA than previously thought.

  • Waterborne Pathogens
  • Pollution
  • Hotspot

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Presenters/Authors

Jordan Facey (), University of Technology Sydney, Jordan.A.Facey@student.uts.edu.au;


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