Abstract
In this study, the contents of microcystin-LR (MC-LR) of Microcystis aeruginosa cultures in the laboratory and natural water samples from the Huangpu River in different seasons were detected through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), respectively. Excellent correlation between the two methods was obtained (R2 > 0.99). ELISA was a reliable and simple method with high reproducibility (coefficient of variation < 25%) and satisfactory recovery for the monitoring of low levels of MC-LR. MC-LR concentrations in Huangpu River varied with the seasonal variation, which peaked in August with the temperature over 30 °C and then gradually declined with the decreasing temperature after August. The highest MC-LR concentration in the Huangpu River was below the WHO drinking water quality standard (1 µg/L). These results indicated that warm temperature accelerated the MC-LR synthesis and release, and it is necessary to regularly monitor the MC-LR levels, especially during the high algae period in summer. ELISA can be applied to detect the low levels of MC-LR in the field without complex treatment, avoiding the samples from denaturation and degradation during the transportation. Hence, ELISA is a better alternative of HPLC when HPLC is unavailable, especially when rapid testing is required in routine MC-LR analysis.
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Data availability
The datasets used or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21307082), and the project of the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality, China (18ZR1438000).
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S. H. carried out the HPLC and ELISA detection and drafted the manuscript. J. C. took the water samples from Huangpu River and conducted the sample pre-treatment. L. W. participated in the HPLC detection. X. Y. participated in the design of the study and participated in the ELISA detection. J. Y. conceived of the study, designed the study, and helped to draft the manuscript. Y. L. developed the concept of this study in discussion. Y. Z. and F. T. performed the statistical analysis. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Hua, S., Chen, J., Wu, L. et al. The monthly variation tendency of microcystin-LR levels in the Huangpu River (China) by applications of ELISA and HPLC. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29, 56876–56884 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-19791-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-19791-x