AUTOMATED PURIFICATION OF MICROCYSTINS

A simplified method for the concentration and purification of microcys tins was developed. A 3-I volume of cyanobacterial scum (equivalent to 124 g dry mass of cells) collected from Rutland Water, Leicestershire , in 1989 was extracted in methanol and centrifuged and the supernatan t was retained. This was diluted to ca. 20% aqueous methanol and appli ed to a reversed-phase flash chromatography cartridge. Microcystins we re eluted with 70% aqueous methanol then reduced in vacuo. Gradient se paration of the extract was optimized on an analytical column and scal ed up to a 15 cm X 7.5 cm I.D. column with subsequent purification of individual compounds.