Algal Liver Toxins in Popular Juice Beverages
Mentor 1
Todd Miller
Start Date
10-5-2022 10:00 AM
Description
The purpose of this research study is to discover if there are any harmful algal toxins in juice beverages. These harmful algal toxins are called microcystin. Cyanobacteria, also known as blue green algae, are photosynthetic bacteria that grow in fresh water. Some blue green algae species produce the toxin microcystin. Microcystin can be harmful to human health, particularly the liver. These blue green algae are added to juices to appeal to consumers that want to drink all natural green juices. When these algal toxins are added to these juice beverages, this can cause harmful effects if the juices are being consumed at a high amount. This research method is done by extracting the algal toxin microcystin from juice beverages. This involves freeze drying the juice samples and performing a procedure called solid phase extraction. Samples are then analyzed through a mass spectrometer. Final outcomes for this project are to discover if there are any algal toxin microcystin in these juice beverages people are consuming. With this data, these juices that have these microcystin should not be consumed. This study is important because these harmful toxins should not be added to any food or juices consumers will buy.
Algal Liver Toxins in Popular Juice Beverages
The purpose of this research study is to discover if there are any harmful algal toxins in juice beverages. These harmful algal toxins are called microcystin. Cyanobacteria, also known as blue green algae, are photosynthetic bacteria that grow in fresh water. Some blue green algae species produce the toxin microcystin. Microcystin can be harmful to human health, particularly the liver. These blue green algae are added to juices to appeal to consumers that want to drink all natural green juices. When these algal toxins are added to these juice beverages, this can cause harmful effects if the juices are being consumed at a high amount. This research method is done by extracting the algal toxin microcystin from juice beverages. This involves freeze drying the juice samples and performing a procedure called solid phase extraction. Samples are then analyzed through a mass spectrometer. Final outcomes for this project are to discover if there are any algal toxin microcystin in these juice beverages people are consuming. With this data, these juices that have these microcystin should not be consumed. This study is important because these harmful toxins should not be added to any food or juices consumers will buy.
