Extraction of microcystins from cyanobacteria by acetic-acid modified supercritical CO2

A new method for the fast extraction of microcystins RR and LR in cyanobact erium was developed using supercritical CO2. The microcystins were successf ully extracted with a ternary mixture (90 % CO2, 9.5 % acetic acid, 0.5 % w ater). The method developed here has several advantages over solid-phase ex traction sample preparation for the analysis of microcystins. Sample handli ng steps are minimized, thus reducing possible losses of analytes and savin g analysis time. No organic solvent extractions are involved in this method and no clean-up steps are employed.