Mapping Selected Emergent Marine Toxin-Producing Organisms Using Historical Samples with Two Methods (Biosensors and Real-Time PCR): A Comparison of Resolution

• DOI: 10.3390/applmicrobiol4010021
• Publication Date: 2024-01-31T15:44:24Z
• Authors: Gerado Mengs; Rowena F. Stern; Jessica L. Clarke; Matthew Faith; Linda K. Medlin
• Keywords: Marine toxin

The Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) survey is a valuable resource for mapping changes in plankton distribution and understanding harmful algal ecology because of its breadth longevity. Preservation methods with formalin degrade DNA, making it difficult to use as molecular tool archived marine samples. DNA was extracted from CPR samples immediately after collection, seven months later nine years storage cruise track along the Iberian Peninsula. PCR reactions performed nine-year timepoint were hybridized probes an electrochemical biosensor compared results obtained RT-PCR at two earlier time points. successful identification Pseudo-nitzschia spp., Prorocentrum lima, Alexandrium minutum, ostenfeldii, Gambierdiscus spp. Coolia documented. analysis outperformed RT-PCR, allowing us document certain tropical toxic dinoflagellates, viz., Coolia, that produce human ciguatoxins toxins, respectively. These non-native toxins can accumulate, pervade food web negatively impact security. This supports northerly movement microalgae climate change offshore peninsular waters. study highlights biosensors cost-effective monitoring HAB species advances technologies long-term datasets have limited records algae. formalin-preserved degraded, so short, multiprobe augment historical contemporary also capture infrequently occurring benthic taxa carried surface integration probe-based offers promising avenue exploring dynamics response environmental changes.