Monica Agrawal, Sulekha Yadav, Chanda Patel, Neelima Raipuria and Manish K. Agrawal
A diversified group of toxins produced by freshwater cyanobacteria pose threat to human health as they frequently occur in drinking water sources. Though numerous qualitative as well as quantitative chemical analytical methods are now available, relatively simple low cost methods that are able to evaluate the potential health hazard and allow management decisions to be taken, are more useful to agencies that monitor drinking water supplies. Given that there is no single method that can provide adequate monitoring for all freshwater cyanotoxins in the increasing range of sample types, bioassays that can detect the toxic effects and safe levels of cyanobacterial toxins in drinking water supplies are discussed. Methods for removal of cyanobacterial cells as well as dissolved toxins in drinking waters prior to supply are also discussed.
