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Bioaccumulation of Microcystins in Lettuce |
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| Authors: | Talita Caroline Hereman Maria do Carmo Bittencourt‐Oliveira |
| Institution: | 1. Department of Biological Sciences, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture, University of S?o Paulo, , Piracicaba, SP, 13418‐900 Brazil;2. Institute of Biological Sciences, S?o Paulo State University, , Rio Claro, SP, 13506‐900 Brazil |
| Abstract: | The contamination of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) by water‐borne crude extracts of the cyanobacterium microcystin‐producing Microcystis aeruginosa (Kützing) Kützing was investigated. The aim of the study was to determine whether bioaccumulation of microcystins occurs in lettuce foliar tissue when sprayed with solutions containing microcystins at concentrations observed in aquatic systems (0.62 to 12.5 μg · L?1). Microcystins were found in lettuce foliar tissues (8.31 to 177.8 μg per Kg of fresh weight) at all concentrations of crude extracts. Spraying with water containing microcystins and cyanobacteria may contaminate lettuce at levels higher than the daily intake of microcystins recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), underscoring the need to monitor such food exposure pathways by public authorities. |
| Keywords: | alimentary security cyanobacteria food contamination irrigation Microcystis aeruginosa vegetables |