Cyanobacteria, also known as the �blue-green algae�, are recognized to produce a vast array of toxic or otherwise bioactive secondary metabolites. As part of on-going research focused on identifying bioactive metabolites from cyanobacteria, extracts from biomass of Fischerella 52-1, a strain of freshwater cyanobacteria isolated from Central Florida, were screened using the zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo as a model of vertebrate development. Observations of developmental effects in the zebrafish embryos were used as a means of bioassay-guided fractionation. Additionally, we employed Ehrlich's spray reagent to test specifically for indole alkaloids, further guiding the purification. Crude fractionation was performed using silica-gel columns followed by purification using reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Indole-containing compounds purified in this way are currently being characterized chemically by spectroscopic techniques (i.e. mass spectrometry, NMR, IR), and toxicologically in the zebrafish embryo model. Further progress in purification, toxicity evaluations and structure elucidation will be reported.

Purification and characterization of indole alkaloids from the freshwater cyanobacterium, <i>Fischerella</i> 52-1, as inhibitors of development in the zebrafish (<i>Danio rerio</i>) embryo model

245th National Meeting (2013)

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Purification and characterization of indole alkaloids from the freshwater cyanobacterium, Fischerella 52-1, as inhibitors of development in the zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo model