Abstract:
The potential transfer of microcystin-LR (MC-LR) to humans via crop plants irrigated
with MC-contaminated water is causing serious concern. In this study, two Oryza sativa variants, a
hybrid (BG358), a traditional (Suwandel) variety, and a leafy green vegetable crop, Ipomoea aquatica,
were exposed under laboratory conditions to natural blooms of Microcystis aeruginosa sampled
from a hypereutrophic lake contaminated with MC-LR (3,197.37 1.04 g/L). Field samples of
O. sativa and I. aquatica were collected from farmlands that had been irrigated from a reservoir,
containing MC-LR (180 g/L). MC-LR was quantified by high performance liquid chromatography
followed by photodiode-array detection (HPLC-PDA). From the laboratory study, we calculated the
potential human health exposure from BG358, Suwandel and I. aquatica as 2.84 0.01, 0.22 0.01,
and 0.06 0.01 g/kg of body weight/day, respectively, whereas the potential health exposures
from BG358, Suwandel and I. aquatica collected from the field were 0.10 0.01, 0.009 0.005,
and 0.03 0.01 g/kg of body weight/day, respectively. In certain instances, the results exceeded
theWorld Health Organization’s (WHO) tolerable daily intake of MC-LR, posing a potential health
risk to humans. Thus, our results emphasize the importance of continuous screening programs for
cyanotoxins in edible plants in the future to prevent the consumption of contaminated crops.
