ALGAL TOXIN DETECTION TECHNOLOGIES
Raffaela Cardente ECOTOX LDS
www.ecotox.it
www.modernwater.com
The effects of nutrient pollution in surface waters may cause algae to increase to potentially harmful levels. Algae deplete oxygen and certain species of blue‐green and red algae can even poison aquatic life and pose a threat to human, domestic animal or livestock health.
MODERN WATER provides a wide range of algae and algal toxin detection technologies, distributed in Italy by ECOTOX LDS.
The rapid detection methods for algae and algal toxins include both immunoassay test kits and fluorometers. Together, this broad range of testing options and algal species detection makes Modern Water the only company that offers a complete solution for algal toxin detection. IMMUNOASSAY is an analytical method which uses an antibody as a reagent to quantify specific analytes. The technique incorporates the binding reaction of a target substance (antigen) with an antibody.
The enzyme based immunoassay test kits produce results in as little as 45 minutes. The ELISA plate and tube tests, EnviroGard, can detect trace
concentrations of the specific toxins that are generated by the Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs).
Features:
• Toxin‐specific kits
• Use in field and lab
• Low‐level detection
• Early warning before harmful levels are reached
• High sensitivity
• Rapid detection
• Easy to use
• Robust
FLUOROMETERS work on the principle that different molecules absorb and emit light at specific wavelengths. Modern Water fluorometers use LED light source to excite the molecules and then measure the emittance at the desired wavelength. The intensity of the emitted light provides the concentration of the target compound.
Algae fluorometers are rugged and portable for rapid field deployment. The single parameter Algaechek can be programmed to detect Chlorophyll a, phycocyanin or phycoerythrin
inherent in potentially harmful blue‐green and red algae blooms.
Additionally, the AlgaeChek Ultra combines capabilities to detect all three pigments with one instrument.
Parameters
Detection Range
Chlorophyll a
Phycoerythrin (Red algae)
Phycocyanin (Blue‐green algae)
Cylindrospermopsin
Microcystin
Microcystin
Okadaic Acid
Neo‐Saxitoxin
Nodularin
Brevetoxin
Saxitoxin
0.1 to 100 g L‐1
0.1 to 100 g L‐1
0.1 to 100 g L‐1
0.1 to 2.0 g L‐1
0.3 to 5.0 g L‐1
0.1 to 1.6 g L‐1
0.2 to 5.0 g L‐1
0.03 to 1.0 g L‐1
0.04 to 1.0 g L‐1
0.1 to 2.5 g L‐1
0.02 to 0.32g L‐1
Format
Product
Fluorometer
AlgaeChek Ultra
ELISA plate
ELISA plate
ELISA plate
ELISA plate
ELISA plate
ELISA plate
ELISA plate
ELISA plate
EnviroGard
Modern Water’s combination of plate and tube test kits offer high sensitivity, quick results and detect a variety of algal species. These immunoassay methods offer a cost‐effective solution for high throughput sample testing. A yield of up to 80 samples can be achieved per 96‐well microtiter plate, depending on batch size.