TITLE:
Monitoring Domoic Acid in Marine Phytoplankton by Disposable Immunosensors
AUTHORS:
Roberta Congestri, Laura Micheli, Giuseppe Palleschi
KEYWORDS:
Domoic Acid Monitoring, Immunosensors, Screen Printed Electrodes, Toxic Pseudo-nitzschia
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.8 No.5,
April
26,
2017
ABSTRACT: Advances in sensor
technology have allowed the significant progress in the
monitoring of noxious compounds in the sea, providing real-time detection so as
to prevent risks associated with the diffusion and dispersion of toxic
substances in the environment. An important element in the overall picture is the harmful
algal blooms which pose serious threats to marine ecosystems through the
production of toxins that accumulate in filter-feeders and ultimately impact
both human health and fisheries. Domoic acid is a neurotoxic amino acid produced by marine planktonic diatoms of the
genus Pseudo-nitzschia. Here we
monitored domoic acid production by natural Pseudo-nitzschia populations in phytoplankton samples collected along the Middle Tyrrhenian
coast, over the course of one year, using selective immunosensors based on
screenprinted electrodes, using differential pulse voltammetry as the electrochemical technique, to yield quantitative outputs.
In this work, disposable devices have been applied for monitoring
the production of domoic acid on algal extracts and the results have been validated
by conventional high pressure liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detection
methods. The data obtained revealed the presence of domoic acid in Italian
phytoplankton, especially in coastal impacted areas, highlighting the potential
risk of toxin entering into marine food webs and the environment. Immunosensors
based on screen-printed electrodes prove to be effective tools for annual
monitoring of domoic acid in seawater samples, thus providing a reliable early
warning system relative to health and economic impact of algal toxins.