Recent advances in the sample preparation, liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometric analysis and environmental fate of microcystins in water

This review article covers recent developments in the analysis of microcystins (MCs), the natural toxins produced in cyanobacterial blooms that occur in many eutrophic waters. We report applications of new extraction methodologies, such as immunosorbents for sample preparation, and current advances in liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry for detection and identification of new transformation products. Due to the complex nature of MCs, there is a growing interest in analyzing MCs and characterizing their transformation products. The widespread occurrence of toxic cyanobacterial blooms in aquatic resources that are used for drinking water supply has raised public health concern. In addition, the presence of MCs in surface waters has resulted in poisoning animals and killing fish worldwide. For this reason, we review the fate of MCs in surface waters, and include current knowledge about how various environmental conditions, such as pH, temperature and sunlight, influence the biodegradation of these toxins under natural conditions. Lastly, we also discuss studies that investigate the potential removal mechanisms of MCs from drinking water supplies, such as advance oxidation processes.