A 20-Year Review of Microcystin Extraction and Purification from Microcystis Aeruginosa

Abstract

Afonso Silva Pinto

Cyanobacterial toxins, particularly microcystins produced by Microcystis aeruginosa, have garnered growing attention due to their ecological impact, public health risks, and their emerging potential. Efficient extraction and purification of these compounds are critical for both analytical and scalable applications. This review synthesized developments from 2005 to 2025, focusing on advances in cyanobacterial cultivation, toxin extraction and purification workflows, and methodological shifts toward environmental sustainability. This review critically examines key strategies such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), solid-phase extraction (SPE), and emerging green solvent systems are critically examined for their recovery efficiency, cost, and field applicability. Special attention is given to maintaining structural integrity of bioactive moieties like Adda and to reducing environmental footprint. The review also discusses persistent challenges, such as matrix interference and interlaboratory variability, and identifies the ‘extraction gap’- the discrepancy between laboratory-optimized protocols and variable field performance. By consolidating current knowledge, this article outlines pressing methodological needs and proposes directions for improving standardization, detection accuracy, and practical deployment in environmental and biomedical contexts.

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