17 - Cyanobacterial toxins as a high value-added product

Abstract

Cyanotoxins are known to cause severe damage to humans and animals. However, these metabolites are also considered as very promising compounds with potential use in biomedical treatments (e.g., anticancer/antitumor drug development) and to act against bacteria, fungi, algae, and insects. Despite the increasing demand of such high value-added products both for research and industrial applications, their availability remains scarce mostly due to constraints in production and purification processes. As result, cyanotoxin standards to be used (e.g., in lab tests) can reach commercial prices above 30,000 /mg. Cyanotoxin synthesis is highly dependent on biotic and abiotic factors; this chapter aims to provide readers with pertinent information regarding the production, purification, and use of cyanotoxins as a high added-valued product in various biotechnological fields. Additionally, special requirements that must be considered when toxic cyanobacteria are grown to fulfill all guidelines and legislation are dealt with.