Detection of variants of microcystin produced by Microcystis aeruginosa in some burrow pits of Kano, Nigeria

Abstract

Water samples of some burrow pits in Kano metropolis were examined for Microcystis aeruginosa and their ability to produce toxins. Identification for the organisms was achieved by the use of standard procedure and its pure culture was obtained by capillary pipette technique. The pure culture was harvested and dried at 25oC. These were kept in refrigerator before being subjected for the analysis of toxins High liquid performance chromatography was used to detect the presence of toxins. HPLC extracts on analysis, were found to contain four variants of microcystins- RR (24%), YR (26%), LR (48%), and LF (2%). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) of the result showed that the microcystin variants in all the six samples did not vary at 5%level or p<0.05 during the study period. The results of the finding show the possibility of poisoning effect on a variety of livestock, fishes, domestic animals and human beings that uses the burrow pit water for drinking.

Keywords: Microcystis aeruginosa, toxin, Burrow pits, Kano