Rapid analysis for cyanobacterial toxins

• US 10,641,769 B1
• Filed: 06/06/2019
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abraxis LLC (Bristol-Myers Squibb Company)
• Original Assignee: Abraxis LLC (Bristol-Myers Squibb Company)
• Inventors: Rubio, Fernando Manuel, Kamp, Lisa Marie
• Primary Examiner(s): Zeman, Robert A
• Application Number:
  US16/433,424
• Time in Patent Office: 334 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/495 the fluid being adsorbed, e.g. in porous medium
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/775 Indicator and selective membrane
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/7759 Dipstick; Test strip
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/7769 Measurement method of reaction-produced change in sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/7793 Sensor comprising plural indicators
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00168 Manufacturing or preparing test elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00465 Separating and mixing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/1813 Specific cations in water, e.g. heavy metals
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/182 Specific anions in water
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/1826 Organic contamination in water
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/56911 Bacteria
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1002 Reagent dispensers

Abstract

Method and compositions using transition metal salts and/or ammonium chloride to liberate toxins and other molecules from cyanobacteria, useful for assaying for total cyanobacterial toxins in lakes, reservoirs and other waters.

Claims

1. A method of releasing a cyanobacterial toxin in a suspension comprising cyanobacteria suspended in an aqueous medium, wherein said method comprises adding a releasing agent to an aliquot of the suspension so as to release toxins from the bacteria into the medium, provided the cyanobacteria are not subjected to a freeze-thaw step before, during or after the step where the releasing agent is added to suspension, wherein the releasing agent is a metal salt that comprises a copper atom and which can dissociate in water to release the copper atom as a copper ion.

2. A method of claim 1 wherein the toxin is selected from the group consisting of microcystins, nodularins, anatoxin-a, anatoxin-a(S), aplysiatoxins, cylindrospermopsins, lyngbyatoxin-a, and saxitoxins.

3. A method of claim 2 wherein the toxin is selected from the group consisting of a microcystin and a nodularin.

4. A method of claim 3 wherein the toxin is a microcystin.

5. A method of claim 1 said method further comprising the step of adding Tween and ammonium chloride to the aliquot of the suspension.