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Vitor Vasconcelos
CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Matosinhos, Portugal

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Research article
Published: 17 August 2021 in Environmental Science and Pollution Research
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The sediments were studied according to the granulometric characteristics, the geochemical analyses of the sediments (organic matter (OM), carbonate, and pH), the analyses of heavy metals (HM) characteristics, and their contamination status in the ecological system and the mineralogical analysis of the sediments at 8 sites spread over the Marchica lagoon (NE-Morocco). Our results showed that the opening of the new wide and deep pass affected the spatial distributions of the metals, which were closely related to fine fraction and sediment OM concentration. In the north and southeast lagoon zones presented low concentrations of the HM, fine particles (clay), OM, whereas the south and the center of the lagoon were heavily loaded with HM and OM, corresponding to the trapping zones by fine particles. The results of mineralogy analyses have revealed the predominance of non-clay minerals such as quartz and calcite, and for the clay fractions of sediments showed that they are formed of illite, kaolinite, smectite, and chlorite in highly variable proportions; illite was the most dominant clay in the north-western Marchica lagoon sediments. Therefore, the HMs are fixed by clay colloids having a high cation exchange capacity with smectite-chlorite-kaolinite assembly.

ACS Style

Asmae Aknaf; Mustapha Akodad; Mostafa Layachi; Mourad Baghour; Brahim Oudra; Vitor Vasconcelos. The chemical characterization and its relationship with heavy metals contamination in surface sediment of Marchica Mediterranean Lagoon (North of Morocco). Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2021, 1 -11.

AMA Style

Asmae Aknaf, Mustapha Akodad, Mostafa Layachi, Mourad Baghour, Brahim Oudra, Vitor Vasconcelos. The chemical characterization and its relationship with heavy metals contamination in surface sediment of Marchica Mediterranean Lagoon (North of Morocco). Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2021; ():1-11.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Asmae Aknaf; Mustapha Akodad; Mostafa Layachi; Mourad Baghour; Brahim Oudra; Vitor Vasconcelos. 2021. "The chemical characterization and its relationship with heavy metals contamination in surface sediment of Marchica Mediterranean Lagoon (North of Morocco)." Environmental Science and Pollution Research , no. : 1-11.

Journal article
Published: 16 August 2021 in Microorganisms
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Frequent toxic cyanoblooms in eutrophic freshwaters produce various cyanotoxins such as the monocyclic heptapeptides microcystins (MCs), known as deleterious compounds to plant growth and human health. Recently, MCs are a recurrent worldwide sanitary problem in irrigation waters and farmland soils due to their transfer and accumulation in the edible tissues of vegetable produce. In such cases, studies about the persistence and removal of MCs in soil are scarce and not fully investigated. In this study, we carried out a greenhouse trial on two crop species: faba bean (Vicia faba var. Alfia 321) and common wheat (Triticum aestivum var. Achtar) that were grown in sterile (microorganism-free soil) and non-sterile (microorganism-rich soil) soils and subjected to MC-induced stress at 100 µg equivalent MC-LR L−1. The experimentation aimed to assess the prominent role of native rhizospheric microbiota in mitigating the phytotoxic impact of MCs on plant growth and reducing their accumulation in both soils and plant tissues. Moreover, we attempted to evaluate the health risk related to the consumption of MC-polluted plants for humans and cattle by determining the estimated daily intake (EDI) and health risk quotient (RQ) of MCs in these plants. Biodegradation was liable to be the main removal pathway of the toxin in the soil; and therefore, bulk soil (unplanted soil), as well as rhizospheric soil (planted soil), were used in this experiment to evaluate the accumulation of MCs in the presence and absence of microorganisms (sterile and non-sterile soils). The data obtained in this study showed that MCs had no significant effects on growth indicators of faba bean and common wheat plants in non-sterile soil as compared to the control group. In contrast, plants grown in sterile soil showed a significant decrease in growth parameters as compared to the control. These results suggest that MCs were highly bioavailable to the plants, resulting in severe growth impairments in the absence of native rhizospheric microbiota. Likewise, MCs were more accumulated in sterile soil and more bioconcentrated in root and shoot tissues of plants grown within when compared to non-sterile soil. Thereby, the EDI of MCs in plants grown in sterile soil was more beyond the tolerable daily intake recommended for both humans and cattle. The risk level was more pronounced in plants from the sterile soil than those from the non-sterile one. These findings suggest that microbial activity, eventually MC-biodegradation, is a crucial bioremediation tool to remove and prevent MCs from entering the agricultural food chain.

ACS Style

El Mahdi Redouane; Richard Mugani; Majida Lahrouni; José Carlos Martins; Soukaina El Amrani Zerrifi; Khalid Oufdou; Alexandre Campos; Vitor Vasconcelos; Brahim Oudra. Role of Rhizospheric Microbiota as a Bioremediation Tool for the Protection of Soil-Plant Systems from Microcystins Phytotoxicity and Mitigating Toxin-Related Health Risk. Microorganisms 2021, 9, 1747 .

AMA Style

El Mahdi Redouane, Richard Mugani, Majida Lahrouni, José Carlos Martins, Soukaina El Amrani Zerrifi, Khalid Oufdou, Alexandre Campos, Vitor Vasconcelos, Brahim Oudra. Role of Rhizospheric Microbiota as a Bioremediation Tool for the Protection of Soil-Plant Systems from Microcystins Phytotoxicity and Mitigating Toxin-Related Health Risk. Microorganisms. 2021; 9 (8):1747.

Chicago/Turabian Style

El Mahdi Redouane; Richard Mugani; Majida Lahrouni; José Carlos Martins; Soukaina El Amrani Zerrifi; Khalid Oufdou; Alexandre Campos; Vitor Vasconcelos; Brahim Oudra. 2021. "Role of Rhizospheric Microbiota as a Bioremediation Tool for the Protection of Soil-Plant Systems from Microcystins Phytotoxicity and Mitigating Toxin-Related Health Risk." Microorganisms 9, no. 8: 1747.

Review
Published: 16 June 2021 in Marine Drugs
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Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) represent a drawback in society given the ageing population. Dementias are the most prevalent NDs, with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) representing around 70% of all cases. The current pharmaceuticals for AD are symptomatic and with no effects on the progression of the disease. Thus, research on molecules with therapeutic relevance has become a major focus for the scientific community. Cyanobacteria are a group of photosynthetic prokaryotes rich in biomolecules with confirmed activity in pathologies such as cancer, and with feasible potential in NDs such as AD. In this review, we aimed to compile the research works focused in the anti-AD potential of cyanobacteria, namely regarding the inhibition of the enzyme β-secretase (BACE1) as a fundamental enzyme in the generation of β-amyloid (Aβ), the inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) lead to an increase in the availability of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft and the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, as phenomena associated with neurodegeneration mechanisms.

ACS Style

Andrea Castaneda; Ricardo Ferraz; Mónica Vieira; Isabel Cardoso; Vitor Vasconcelos; Rosário Martins. Bridging Cyanobacteria to Neurodegenerative Diseases: A New Potential Source of Bioactive Compounds against Alzheimer’s Disease. Marine Drugs 2021, 19, 343 .

AMA Style

Andrea Castaneda, Ricardo Ferraz, Mónica Vieira, Isabel Cardoso, Vitor Vasconcelos, Rosário Martins. Bridging Cyanobacteria to Neurodegenerative Diseases: A New Potential Source of Bioactive Compounds against Alzheimer’s Disease. Marine Drugs. 2021; 19 (6):343.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Andrea Castaneda; Ricardo Ferraz; Mónica Vieira; Isabel Cardoso; Vitor Vasconcelos; Rosário Martins. 2021. "Bridging Cyanobacteria to Neurodegenerative Diseases: A New Potential Source of Bioactive Compounds against Alzheimer’s Disease." Marine Drugs 19, no. 6: 343.

Original paper
Published: 11 June 2021 in Archives of Microbiology
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The purpose of the present study was to determine for the first time the volatile constituents, the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil (EO) of the endemic Moroccan Linaria ventricosa, alone or in combination with four known antibiotics. The major constituents were 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol (17.4%), α-terpinene (13.64%) and 3,5-dimethylphenyl isocyanate (12.21%). The EO had moderate antioxidant potency, as measured by DPPH free radical scavenging (1.233 ± 0.031 mg/mL), ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (0.373 ± 0.019 mg/mL) and β-carotene/linoleic acid (0.922 ± 0.026 mg/mL). EO showed microbicidal activity against all microorganisms tested. The highest effectiveness was recorded against Candida albicans (IZ = 24 mm, MIC = 4.87 mg/mL and MMC = 9.75 mg/mL) and Candida glabrata (IZ = 22 mm, MIC = MMC = 4.87 mg/mL). Gram negative bacteria were the most resistant (MIC = MMC = 39 mg/mL). The combination of EO at sub-inhibitory concentrations with antibiotics showed a significant decrease in their individual MICs from 2 to 128 fold, being the best for ciprofloxacin and fluconazole against E. coli and C. albicans and C. glabrata, respectively.

ACS Style

Ahmed Nafis; Fatima Ezzahraa Saad; Fatima El Khalloufi; Ayoub Kasrati; Abdelaziz Abbad; Noureddine Mezrioui; Brahim Oudra; Vitor Vasconcelos; Lahcen Hassani. New insight into antimicrobial activities of Linaria ventricosa essential oil and its synergetic effect with conventional antibiotics. Archives of Microbiology 2021, 1 -6.

AMA Style

Ahmed Nafis, Fatima Ezzahraa Saad, Fatima El Khalloufi, Ayoub Kasrati, Abdelaziz Abbad, Noureddine Mezrioui, Brahim Oudra, Vitor Vasconcelos, Lahcen Hassani. New insight into antimicrobial activities of Linaria ventricosa essential oil and its synergetic effect with conventional antibiotics. Archives of Microbiology. 2021; ():1-6.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ahmed Nafis; Fatima Ezzahraa Saad; Fatima El Khalloufi; Ayoub Kasrati; Abdelaziz Abbad; Noureddine Mezrioui; Brahim Oudra; Vitor Vasconcelos; Lahcen Hassani. 2021. "New insight into antimicrobial activities of Linaria ventricosa essential oil and its synergetic effect with conventional antibiotics." Archives of Microbiology , no. : 1-6.

Journal article
Published: 20 May 2021 in Microorganisms
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Since biofilm formation by microfoulers significantly contributes to the fouling process, it is important to evaluate the performance of marine surfaces to prevent biofilm formation, as well as understand their interactions with microfoulers and how these affect biofilm development and structure. In this study, the long-term performance of five surface materials—glass, perspex, polystyrene, epoxy-coated glass, and a silicone hydrogel coating—in inhibiting biofilm formation by cyanobacteria was evaluated. For this purpose, cyanobacterial biofilms were developed under controlled hydrodynamic conditions typically found in marine environments, and the biofilm cell number, wet weight, chlorophyll a content, and biofilm thickness and structure were assessed after 49 days. In order to obtain more insight into the effect of surface properties on biofilm formation, they were characterized concerning their hydrophobicity and roughness. Results demonstrated that silicone hydrogel surfaces were effective in inhibiting cyanobacterial biofilm formation. In fact, biofilms formed on these surfaces showed a lower number of biofilm cells, chlorophyll a content, biofilm thickness, and percentage and size of biofilm empty spaces compared to remaining surfaces. Additionally, our results demonstrated that the surface properties, together with the features of the fouling microorganisms, have a considerable impact on marine biofouling potential.

ACS Style

Sara Faria; Rita Teixeira-Santos; Maria Romeu; João Morais; Ed Jong; Jelmer Sjollema; Vítor Vasconcelos; Filipe Mergulhão. Unveiling the Antifouling Performance of Different Marine Surfaces and Their Effect on the Development and Structure of Cyanobacterial Biofilms. Microorganisms 2021, 9, 1102 .

AMA Style

Sara Faria, Rita Teixeira-Santos, Maria Romeu, João Morais, Ed Jong, Jelmer Sjollema, Vítor Vasconcelos, Filipe Mergulhão. Unveiling the Antifouling Performance of Different Marine Surfaces and Their Effect on the Development and Structure of Cyanobacterial Biofilms. Microorganisms. 2021; 9 (5):1102.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sara Faria; Rita Teixeira-Santos; Maria Romeu; João Morais; Ed Jong; Jelmer Sjollema; Vítor Vasconcelos; Filipe Mergulhão. 2021. "Unveiling the Antifouling Performance of Different Marine Surfaces and Their Effect on the Development and Structure of Cyanobacterial Biofilms." Microorganisms 9, no. 5: 1102.

Journal article
Published: 18 May 2021 in Water
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Cyanobacteria blooms occur frequently in freshwaters around the world. Some can produce and release toxic compounds called cyanotoxins, which represent a danger to both the environment and human health. Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is the most toxic variant reported all over the world. Conventional water treatment methods are expensive and require specialized personnel and equipment. Recently, a multi-soil-layering (MSL) system, a natural and low-cost technology, has been introduced as an attractive cost-effective, and environmentally friendly technology that is likely to be an alternative to conventional wastewater treatment methods. This study aims to evaluate, for the first time, the efficiency of MSL eco-technology to remove MC-LR on a laboratory scale using local materials. To this end, an MSL pilot plant was designed to treat distilled water contaminated with MC-LR. The pilot was composed of an alternation of permeable layers (pozzolan) and soil mixture layers (local sandy soil, sawdust, charcoal, and metallic iron on a dry weight ratio of 70, 10, 10, and 10%, respectively) arranged in a brick-layer-like pattern. MSL pilot was continuously fed with synthetic water containing distilled water contaminated with increasing concentrations of MC-LR (0.18–10 µg/L) at a hydraulic loading rate (HLR) of 200 L m−2 day−1. The early results showed MC-LR removal of above 99%. Based on these preliminary results, the multi-soil-layering eco-technology could be considered as a promising solution to treat water contaminated by MC-LR in order to produce quality water for irrigation or recreational activities.

ACS Style

Roseline Aba; Richard Mugani; Abdessamad Hejjaj; Nelly Brugerolle de Fraissinette; Brahim Oudra; Naaila Ouazzani; Alexandre Campos; Vitor Vasconcelos; Pedro Carvalho; Laila Mandi. First Report on Cyanotoxin (MC-LR) Removal from Surface Water by Multi-Soil-Layering (MSL) Eco-Technology: Preliminary Results. Water 2021, 13, 1403 .

AMA Style

Roseline Aba, Richard Mugani, Abdessamad Hejjaj, Nelly Brugerolle de Fraissinette, Brahim Oudra, Naaila Ouazzani, Alexandre Campos, Vitor Vasconcelos, Pedro Carvalho, Laila Mandi. First Report on Cyanotoxin (MC-LR) Removal from Surface Water by Multi-Soil-Layering (MSL) Eco-Technology: Preliminary Results. Water. 2021; 13 (10):1403.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Roseline Aba; Richard Mugani; Abdessamad Hejjaj; Nelly Brugerolle de Fraissinette; Brahim Oudra; Naaila Ouazzani; Alexandre Campos; Vitor Vasconcelos; Pedro Carvalho; Laila Mandi. 2021. "First Report on Cyanotoxin (MC-LR) Removal from Surface Water by Multi-Soil-Layering (MSL) Eco-Technology: Preliminary Results." Water 13, no. 10: 1403.

Review
Published: 15 May 2021 in Biomolecules
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Carotenoids are tetraterpenoids molecules present in all photosynthetic organisms, responsible for better light-harvesting and energy dissipation in photosynthesis. In cyanobacteria, the biosynthetic pathway of carotenoids is well described, and apart from the more common compounds (e.g., β-carotene, zeaxanthin, and echinenone), specific carotenoids can also be found, such as myxoxanthophyll. Moreover, cyanobacteria have a protein complex called orange carotenoid protein (OCP) as a mechanism of photoprotection. Although cyanobacteria are not the organism of choice for the industrial production of carotenoids, the optimisation of their production and the evaluation of their bioactive capacity demonstrate that these organisms may indeed be a potential candidate for future pigment production in a more environmentally friendly and sustainable approach of biorefinery. Carotenoids-rich extracts are described as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumoral agents and are proposed for feed and cosmetical industries. Thus, several strategies for the optimisation of a cyanobacteria-based bioprocess for the obtention of pigments were described. This review aims to give an overview of carotenoids from cyanobacteria not only in terms of their chemistry but also in terms of their biotechnological applicability and the advances and the challenges in the production of such compounds.

ACS Style

Fernando Pagels; Vitor Vasconcelos; Ana Guedes. Carotenoids from Cyanobacteria: Biotechnological Potential and Optimization Strategies. Biomolecules 2021, 11, 735 .

AMA Style

Fernando Pagels, Vitor Vasconcelos, Ana Guedes. Carotenoids from Cyanobacteria: Biotechnological Potential and Optimization Strategies. Biomolecules. 2021; 11 (5):735.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Fernando Pagels; Vitor Vasconcelos; Ana Guedes. 2021. "Carotenoids from Cyanobacteria: Biotechnological Potential and Optimization Strategies." Biomolecules 11, no. 5: 735.

Review
Published: 11 May 2021 in Applied Sciences
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Cyanobacteria have long been associated with harmful effects on humans, animals and aquatic biota. Cyanotoxins are their most toxic metabolite. This review summarizes the current research, impacts and future needs in cyanobacterial studies undertaken in Portugal, the southernmost country of Europe, and with a recent multiplication of cyanotoxicity due to climate change events. Microcystins are still the most prevalent, studied and the only regulated cyanotoxins in Portuguese freshwater systems much like most European countries. With the development of some tools, particularly in molecular studies, the recent discovery of cylindrospermopsins, anatoxins and saxitoxins, both genes and toxins, in North and Center ecosystems of our country highlight current impacts that overall communities are facing with increased risks of exposure and uptake to cyanotoxins. Research needs encompass the expansion of studies at all aspects due to the uprising of these cyanotoxins and reinforces the urgent need of increasing the frequency of surveillance to achieve tangible effects of cyanotoxins in Portugal to ultimately implement regulations on cylindrospermopsins, anatoxins and saxitoxins worldwide.

ACS Style

Cristiana Moreira; Alexandre Campos; José Martins; Vitor Vasconcelos; Agostinho Antunes. Review on Cyanobacterial Studies in Portugal: Current Impacts and Research Needs. Applied Sciences 2021, 11, 4355 .

AMA Style

Cristiana Moreira, Alexandre Campos, José Martins, Vitor Vasconcelos, Agostinho Antunes. Review on Cyanobacterial Studies in Portugal: Current Impacts and Research Needs. Applied Sciences. 2021; 11 (10):4355.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cristiana Moreira; Alexandre Campos; José Martins; Vitor Vasconcelos; Agostinho Antunes. 2021. "Review on Cyanobacterial Studies in Portugal: Current Impacts and Research Needs." Applied Sciences 11, no. 10: 4355.

Journal article
Published: 03 April 2021 in Toxins
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Microcystins (MCs), Saxitoxins (STXs), and Cylindrospermopsins (CYNs) are some of the more well-known cyanotoxins. Taking into consideration the impacts of cyanotoxins, many studies have focused on the identification of unknown cyanotoxin(s)-producing strains. This study aimed to screen strains from the Azorean Bank of Algae and Cyanobacteria (BACA) for MCs, STX, and CYN production. A total of 157 strains were searched for mcy, sxt, and cyr producing genes by PCR, toxin identification by ESI-LC-MS/MS, and cyanotoxin-producing strains morphological identification and confirmation by 16S rRNA phylogenetic analysis. Cyanotoxin-producing genes were amplified in 13 strains and four were confirmed as toxin producers by ESI-LC-MS/MS. As expected Aphanizomenon gracile BACA0041 was confirmed as an STX producer, with amplification of genes sxtA, sxtG, sxtH, and sxtI, and Microcystis aeruginosa BACA0148 as an MC-LR producer, with amplification of genes mcyC, mcyD, mcyE, and mcyG. Two nostocalean strains, BACA0025 and BACA0031, were positive for both cyrB and cyrC genes and ESI-LC-MS/MS confirmed CYN production. Although these strains morphologically resemble Sphaerospermopsis, the 16S rRNA phylogenetic analysis reveals that they probably belong to a new genus.

ACS Style

Rita Cordeiro; Joana Azevedo; Rúben Luz; Vitor Vasconcelos; Vítor Gonçalves; Amélia Fonseca. Cyanotoxin Screening in BACA Culture Collection: Identification of New Cylindrospermopsin Producing Cyanobacteria. Toxins 2021, 13, 258 .

AMA Style

Rita Cordeiro, Joana Azevedo, Rúben Luz, Vitor Vasconcelos, Vítor Gonçalves, Amélia Fonseca. Cyanotoxin Screening in BACA Culture Collection: Identification of New Cylindrospermopsin Producing Cyanobacteria. Toxins. 2021; 13 (4):258.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rita Cordeiro; Joana Azevedo; Rúben Luz; Vitor Vasconcelos; Vítor Gonçalves; Amélia Fonseca. 2021. "Cyanotoxin Screening in BACA Culture Collection: Identification of New Cylindrospermopsin Producing Cyanobacteria." Toxins 13, no. 4: 258.

Review
Published: 28 March 2021 in Plants
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Cyanobacteria are a group of photosynthetic prokaryotes that pose a great concern in the aquatic environments related to contamination and poisoning of wild life and humans. Some species of cyanobacteria produce potent toxins such as microcystins (MCs), which are extremely aggressive to several organisms, including animals and humans. In order to protect human health and prevent human exposure to this type of organisms and toxins, regulatory limits for MCs in drinking water have been established in most countries. In this regard, the World Health Organization (WHO) proposed 1 µg MCs/L as the highest acceptable concentration in drinking water. However, regulatory limits were not defined in waters used in other applications/activities, constituting a potential threat to the environment and to human health. Indeed, water contaminated with MCs or other cyanotoxins is recurrently used in agriculture and for crop and food production. Several deleterious effects of MCs including a decrease in growth, tissue necrosis, inhibition of photosynthesis and metabolic changes have been reported in plants leading to the impairment of crop productivity and economic loss. Studies have also revealed significant accumulation of MCs in edible tissues and plant organs, which raise concerns related to food safety. This work aims to systematize and analyze the information generated by previous scientific studies, namely on the phytotoxicity and the impact of MCs especially on growth, photosynthesis and productivity of agricultural plants. Morphological and physiological parameters of agronomic interest are overviewed in detail in this work, with the aim to evaluate the putative impact of MCs under field conditions. Finally, concentration-dependent effects are highlighted, as these can assist in future guidelines for irrigation waters and establish regulatory limits for MCs.

ACS Style

Alexandre Campos; El Redouane; Marisa Freitas; Samuel Amaral; Tomé Azevedo; Leticia Loss; Csaba Máthé; Zakaria Mohamed; Brahim Oudra; Vitor Vasconcelos. Impacts of Microcystins on Morphological and Physiological Parameters of Agricultural Plants: A Review. Plants 2021, 10, 639 .

AMA Style

Alexandre Campos, El Redouane, Marisa Freitas, Samuel Amaral, Tomé Azevedo, Leticia Loss, Csaba Máthé, Zakaria Mohamed, Brahim Oudra, Vitor Vasconcelos. Impacts of Microcystins on Morphological and Physiological Parameters of Agricultural Plants: A Review. Plants. 2021; 10 (4):639.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alexandre Campos; El Redouane; Marisa Freitas; Samuel Amaral; Tomé Azevedo; Leticia Loss; Csaba Máthé; Zakaria Mohamed; Brahim Oudra; Vitor Vasconcelos. 2021. "Impacts of Microcystins on Morphological and Physiological Parameters of Agricultural Plants: A Review." Plants 10, no. 4: 639.

Journal article
Published: 25 March 2021 in International Journal of Molecular Sciences
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We focus on the stalked goose barnacle L. anatifera adhesive system, an opportunistic less selective species for the substrate, found attached to a variety of floating objects at seas. Adhesion is an adaptative character in barnacles, ensuring adequate positioning in the habitat for feeding and reproduction. The protein composition of the cement multicomplex and adhesive gland was quantitatively studied using shotgun proteomic analysis. Overall, 11,795 peptide sequences were identified in the gland and 2206 in the cement, clustered in 1689 and 217 proteinGroups, respectively. Cement specific adhesive proteins (CPs), proteases, protease inhibitors, cuticular and structural proteins, chemical cues, and many unannotated proteins were found, among others. In the cement, CPs were the most abundant (80.5%), being the bulk proteins CP100k and -52k the most expressed of all, and CP43k-like the most expressed interfacial protein. Unannotated proteins comprised 4.7% of the cement proteome, ranking several of them among the most highly expressed. Eight of these proteins showed similar physicochemical properties and amino acid composition to known CPs and classified through Principal Components Analysis (PCA) as new CPs. The importance of PCA on the identification of unannotated non-conserved adhesive proteins, whose selective pressure is on their relative amino acid abundance, was demonstrated.

ACS Style

Dany Domínguez-Pérez; Daniela Almeida; Josef Wissing; André Machado; Lothar Jänsch; Agostinho Antunes; Luís Castro; Vitor Vasconcelos; Alexandre Campos; Isabel Cunha. Proteogenomic Characterization of the Cement and Adhesive Gland of the Pelagic Gooseneck Barnacle Lepas anatifera. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2021, 22, 3370 .

AMA Style

Dany Domínguez-Pérez, Daniela Almeida, Josef Wissing, André Machado, Lothar Jänsch, Agostinho Antunes, Luís Castro, Vitor Vasconcelos, Alexandre Campos, Isabel Cunha. Proteogenomic Characterization of the Cement and Adhesive Gland of the Pelagic Gooseneck Barnacle Lepas anatifera. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021; 22 (7):3370.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Dany Domínguez-Pérez; Daniela Almeida; Josef Wissing; André Machado; Lothar Jänsch; Agostinho Antunes; Luís Castro; Vitor Vasconcelos; Alexandre Campos; Isabel Cunha. 2021. "Proteogenomic Characterization of the Cement and Adhesive Gland of the Pelagic Gooseneck Barnacle Lepas anatifera." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22, no. 7: 3370.

Journal article
Published: 18 March 2021 in Marine Drugs
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Obesity is a complex metabolic disease, which is increasing worldwide. The reduction of dietary lipid intake is considered an interesting pathway to reduce fat absorption and to affect the chronic energy imbalance. In this study, zebrafish larvae were used to analyze effects of cyanobacteria on intestinal lipid absorption in vivo. In total, 263 fractions of a cyanobacterial library were screened for PED6 activity, a fluorescent reporter of intestinal lipases, and 11 fractions reduced PED6 activity > 30%. Toxicity was not observed for those fractions, considering mortality, malformations or digestive physiology (protease inhibition). Intestinal long-chain fatty acid uptake (C16) was reduced, but not short-chain fatty acid uptake (C5). Alteration of lipid classes by high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) or lipid processing by fluorescent HPTLC was analyzed, and 2 fractions significantly reduced the whole-body triglyceride level. Bioactivity-guided feature-based molecular networking of LC-MS/MS data identified 14 significant bioactive mass peaks (p < 0.01, correlation > 0.95), which consisted of 3 known putative and 11 unknown compounds. All putatively identified compounds were known to be involved in lipid metabolism and obesity. Summarizing, some cyanobacterial strains repressed intestinal lipid absorption without any signs of toxicity and could be developed in the future as nutraceuticals to combat obesity.

ACS Style

Marta Bellver; Susana Costa; Begoña Sanchez; Vitor Vasconcelos; Ralph Urbatzka. Inhibition of Intestinal Lipid Absorption by Cyanobacterial Strains in Zebrafish Larvae. Marine Drugs 2021, 19, 161 .

AMA Style

Marta Bellver, Susana Costa, Begoña Sanchez, Vitor Vasconcelos, Ralph Urbatzka. Inhibition of Intestinal Lipid Absorption by Cyanobacterial Strains in Zebrafish Larvae. Marine Drugs. 2021; 19 (3):161.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Marta Bellver; Susana Costa; Begoña Sanchez; Vitor Vasconcelos; Ralph Urbatzka. 2021. "Inhibition of Intestinal Lipid Absorption by Cyanobacterial Strains in Zebrafish Larvae." Marine Drugs 19, no. 3: 161.

Journal article
Published: 25 February 2021 in Polymers
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The possibility of utilizing lignocellulosic agro-industrial waste products such as cassava peel hydrolysate (CPH) as carbon sources for polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) biosynthesis and characterization by Amazonian microalga Stigeoclonium sp. B23. was investigated. Cassava peel was hydrolyzed to reducing sugars to obtain increased glucose content with 2.56 ± 0.07 mmol/L. Prior to obtaining PHB, Stigeoclonium sp. B23 was grown in BG-11 for characterization and Z8 media for evaluation of PHB nanoparticles’ cytotoxicity in zebrafish embryos. As results, microalga produced the highest amount of dry weight of PHB with 12.16 ± 1.28 (%) in modified Z8 medium, and PHB nanoparticles exerted some toxicity on zebrafish embryos at concentrations of 6.25–100 µg/mL, increased mortality (Stigeoclonium sp. B23 was a promising and biologically feasible new option with high commercial value, potential for biomaterial applications, and also suggested the use of cassava peel as an alternative renewable resource of carbon for PHB biosynthesis and the non-use of agro-industrial waste and dumping concerns.

ACS Style

Murilo Mourão; Luciana Xavier; Ralph Urbatzka; Lucas Figueiroa; Carlos Costa; Carmen Dias; Maria Schneider; Vitor Vasconcelos; Agenor Santos. Characterization and Biotechnological Potential of Intracellular Polyhydroxybutyrate by Stigeoclonium sp. B23 Using Cassava Peel as Carbon Source. Polymers 2021, 13, 687 .

AMA Style

Murilo Mourão, Luciana Xavier, Ralph Urbatzka, Lucas Figueiroa, Carlos Costa, Carmen Dias, Maria Schneider, Vitor Vasconcelos, Agenor Santos. Characterization and Biotechnological Potential of Intracellular Polyhydroxybutyrate by Stigeoclonium sp. B23 Using Cassava Peel as Carbon Source. Polymers. 2021; 13 (5):687.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Murilo Mourão; Luciana Xavier; Ralph Urbatzka; Lucas Figueiroa; Carlos Costa; Carmen Dias; Maria Schneider; Vitor Vasconcelos; Agenor Santos. 2021. "Characterization and Biotechnological Potential of Intracellular Polyhydroxybutyrate by Stigeoclonium sp. B23 Using Cassava Peel as Carbon Source." Polymers 13, no. 5: 687.

Forschungsartikel
Published: 17 February 2021 in Angewandte Chemie
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In recent years, extensive sequencing and annotation of bacterial genomes has revealed an unexpectedly large number of secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters whose products are yet to be discovered. For example, cyanobacterial genomes contain a variety of gene clusters that likely incorporate fatty acid derived moieties, but for most cases we lack the knowledge and tools to effectively predict or detect the encoded natural products. Here, we exploit the apparent absence of a functional β-oxidation pathway in cyanobacteria to achieve efficient stable-isotope-labeling of their fatty acid derived lipidome. We show that supplementation of cyanobacterial cultures with deuterated fatty acids can be used to easily detect natural product signatures in individual strains. The utility of this strategy is demonstrated in two cultured cyanobacteria by uncovering analogues of the multidrug-resistance reverting hapalosin, and novel, cytotoxic, lactylate-nocuolin A hybrids—the nocuolactylates.

ACS Style

Sandra A. C. Figueiredo; Marco Preto; Gabriela Moreira; Teresa P. Martins; Kathleen Abt; André Melo; Vitor M. Vasconcelos; Pedro N. Leão. Discovery of Cyanobacterial Natural Products Containing Fatty Acid Residues**. Angewandte Chemie 2021, 133, 10152 -10160.

AMA Style

Sandra A. C. Figueiredo, Marco Preto, Gabriela Moreira, Teresa P. Martins, Kathleen Abt, André Melo, Vitor M. Vasconcelos, Pedro N. Leão. Discovery of Cyanobacterial Natural Products Containing Fatty Acid Residues**. Angewandte Chemie. 2021; 133 (18):10152-10160.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sandra A. C. Figueiredo; Marco Preto; Gabriela Moreira; Teresa P. Martins; Kathleen Abt; André Melo; Vitor M. Vasconcelos; Pedro N. Leão. 2021. "Discovery of Cyanobacterial Natural Products Containing Fatty Acid Residues**." Angewandte Chemie 133, no. 18: 10152-10160.

Research article
Published: 17 February 2021 in Angewandte Chemie International Edition
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In recent years, extensive sequencing and annotation of bacterial genomes has revealed an unexpectedly large number of secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters whose products are yet to be discovered. For example, cyanobacterial genomes contain a variety of gene clusters that likely incorporate fatty acid derived moieties, but for most cases we lack the knowledge and tools to effectively predict or detect the encoded natural products. Here, we exploit the apparent absence of a functional β-oxidation pathway in cyanobacteria to achieve efficient stable-isotope-labeling of their fatty acid derived lipidome. We show that supplementation of cyanobacterial cultures with deuterated fatty acids can be used to easily detect natural product signatures in individual strains. The utility of this strategy is demonstrated in two cultured cyanobacteria by uncovering analogues of the multidrug-resistance reverting hapalosin, and novel, cytotoxic, lactylate-nocuolin A hybrids—the nocuolactylates.

ACS Style

Sandra A. C. Figueiredo; Marco Preto; Gabriela Moreira; Teresa P. Martins; Kathleen Abt; André Melo; Vitor M. Vasconcelos; Pedro N. Leão. Discovery of Cyanobacterial Natural Products Containing Fatty Acid Residues**. Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2021, 60, 10064 -10072.

AMA Style

Sandra A. C. Figueiredo, Marco Preto, Gabriela Moreira, Teresa P. Martins, Kathleen Abt, André Melo, Vitor M. Vasconcelos, Pedro N. Leão. Discovery of Cyanobacterial Natural Products Containing Fatty Acid Residues**. Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 2021; 60 (18):10064-10072.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sandra A. C. Figueiredo; Marco Preto; Gabriela Moreira; Teresa P. Martins; Kathleen Abt; André Melo; Vitor M. Vasconcelos; Pedro N. Leão. 2021. "Discovery of Cyanobacterial Natural Products Containing Fatty Acid Residues**." Angewandte Chemie International Edition 60, no. 18: 10064-10072.

Journal article
Published: 05 February 2021 in Toxins
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Microcystins (MCs) produced in eutrophic waters may decrease crop yield, enter food chains and threaten human and animal health. The main objective of this research was to highlight the role of rhizospheric soil microbiota to protect faba bean plants from MCs toxicity after chronic exposure. Faba bean seedlings were grown in pots containing agricultural soil, during 1 month under natural environmental conditions of Marrakech city in Morocco (March–April 2018) and exposed to cyanobacterial extracts containing up to 2.5 mg·L−1 of total MCs. Three independent exposure experiments were performed (a) agricultural soil was maintained intact “exposure experiment 1”; (b) agricultural soil was sterilized “exposure experiment 2”; (c) agricultural soil was sterilized and inoculated with the rhizobia strain Rhizobium leguminosarum RhOF34 “exposure experiment 3”. Overall, data showed evidence of an increased sensitivity of faba bean plants, grown in sterilized soil, to MCs in comparison to those grown in intact and inoculated soils. The study revealed the growth inhibition of plant shoots in both exposure experiments 2 and 3 when treated with 2.5 mg·L−1 of MCs. The results also showed that the estimated daily intake (EDI) of MCs, in sterilized soil, exceeded 2.18 and 1.16 times the reference concentrations (0.04 and 0.45 µg of microcysin-leucine arginine (MC-LR). Kg−1 DW) established for humans and cattle respectively, which raises concerns about human food chain contamination.

ACS Style

El Redouane; Majida Lahrouni; José Martins; Soukaina El Amrani Zerrifi; Loubna Benidire; Mountassir Douma; Faissal Aziz; Khalid Oufdou; Laila Mandi; Alexandre Campos; Vitor Vasconcelos; Brahim Oudra. Protective Role of Native Rhizospheric Soil Microbiota Against the Exposure to Microcystins Introduced into Soil-Plant System via Contaminated Irrigation Water and Health Risk Assessment. Toxins 2021, 13, 118 .

AMA Style

El Redouane, Majida Lahrouni, José Martins, Soukaina El Amrani Zerrifi, Loubna Benidire, Mountassir Douma, Faissal Aziz, Khalid Oufdou, Laila Mandi, Alexandre Campos, Vitor Vasconcelos, Brahim Oudra. Protective Role of Native Rhizospheric Soil Microbiota Against the Exposure to Microcystins Introduced into Soil-Plant System via Contaminated Irrigation Water and Health Risk Assessment. Toxins. 2021; 13 (2):118.

Chicago/Turabian Style

El Redouane; Majida Lahrouni; José Martins; Soukaina El Amrani Zerrifi; Loubna Benidire; Mountassir Douma; Faissal Aziz; Khalid Oufdou; Laila Mandi; Alexandre Campos; Vitor Vasconcelos; Brahim Oudra. 2021. "Protective Role of Native Rhizospheric Soil Microbiota Against the Exposure to Microcystins Introduced into Soil-Plant System via Contaminated Irrigation Water and Health Risk Assessment." Toxins 13, no. 2: 118.

Journal article
Published: 15 January 2021 in Coatings
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The development of antifouling (AF) technology for marine environments is an area of intense research given the severe economic and ecological effects of marine biofouling. Preliminary data from in vitro assays is frequently used to screen the performance of AF coatings. It is intuitive that microbial composition plays a major role in surface colonization. The rationale behind this study is to investigate whether using a mixed population for the in vitro tests yields substantially different results than using single strains during initial screening. A polymeric coating was tested against single- and dual-species cultures of two common microfouler organisms for 49 days. A bacterium (Pseudoaltermonas tunicata) and a cyanobacterium (Cyanobium sp. LEGE 10375) were used in this study. Linear regression analysis revealed that Cyanobium sp. biofilms were significantly associated with a higher number of cells, wet weight, thickness, and biovolume compared to dual-species biofilms. P. tunicata alone had a biofilm growth kinetics similar to dual-species biofilms, although the P. tunicata–Cyanobium sp. mixture developed less dense and thinner biofilms compared to both single-species biofilms. Cyanobium sp. LEGE 10375 biofilms provided the worst-case scenario, i.e., the conditions that caused higher biofilm amounts on the surface material under test. Therefore, it is likely that assessing the AF performance of new coatings using the most stringent conditions may yield more robust results than using a mixed population, as competition between microfouler organisms may reduce the biofilm formation capacity of the consortium.

ACS Style

Sara Faria; Luciana Gomes; Rita Teixeira-Santos; João Morais; Vítor Vasconcelos; Filipe Mergulhão. Developing New Marine Antifouling Surfaces: Learning from Single-Strain Laboratory Tests. Coatings 2021, 11, 90 .

AMA Style

Sara Faria, Luciana Gomes, Rita Teixeira-Santos, João Morais, Vítor Vasconcelos, Filipe Mergulhão. Developing New Marine Antifouling Surfaces: Learning from Single-Strain Laboratory Tests. Coatings. 2021; 11 (1):90.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sara Faria; Luciana Gomes; Rita Teixeira-Santos; João Morais; Vítor Vasconcelos; Filipe Mergulhão. 2021. "Developing New Marine Antifouling Surfaces: Learning from Single-Strain Laboratory Tests." Coatings 11, no. 1: 90.

Journal article
Published: 24 December 2020 in Marine Drugs
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Over the last decades, antifouling coatings containing biocidal compounds as active ingredients were used to prevent biofouling, and eco-friendly alternatives are needed. Previous research from our group showed that polymethoxylated chalcones and glycosylated flavones obtained by synthesis displayed antifouling activity with low toxicity. In this work, ten new polymethoxylated flavones and chalcones were synthesized for the first time, including eight with a triazole moiety. Eight known flavones and chalcones were also synthesized and tested in order to construct a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model for these compounds. Three different antifouling profiles were found: three compounds (1b, 11a and 11b) exhibited anti-settlement activity against a macrofouling species (Mytilus galloprovincialis), two compounds (6a and 6b) exhibited inhibitory activity against the biofilm-forming marine bacteria Roseobacter litoralis and one compound (7b) exhibited activity against both mussel larvae and microalgae Navicula sp. Hydrogen bonding acceptor ability of the molecule was the most significant descriptor contributing positively to the mussel larvae anti-settlement activity and, in fact, the triazolyl glycosylated chalcone 7b was the most potent compound against this species. The most promising compounds were not toxic to Artemia salina, highlighting the importance of pursuing the development of new synthetic antifouling agents as an ecofriendly and sustainable alternative for the marine industry.

ACS Style

Daniela Pereira; Catarina Gonçalves; Beatriz Martins; Andreia Palmeira; Vitor Vasconcelos; Madalena Pinto; Joana Almeida; Marta Correia-Da-Silva; Honorina Cidade. Flavonoid Glycosides with a Triazole Moiety for Marine Antifouling Applications: Synthesis and Biological Activity Evaluation. Marine Drugs 2020, 19, 5 .

AMA Style

Daniela Pereira, Catarina Gonçalves, Beatriz Martins, Andreia Palmeira, Vitor Vasconcelos, Madalena Pinto, Joana Almeida, Marta Correia-Da-Silva, Honorina Cidade. Flavonoid Glycosides with a Triazole Moiety for Marine Antifouling Applications: Synthesis and Biological Activity Evaluation. Marine Drugs. 2020; 19 (1):5.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Daniela Pereira; Catarina Gonçalves; Beatriz Martins; Andreia Palmeira; Vitor Vasconcelos; Madalena Pinto; Joana Almeida; Marta Correia-Da-Silva; Honorina Cidade. 2020. "Flavonoid Glycosides with a Triazole Moiety for Marine Antifouling Applications: Synthesis and Biological Activity Evaluation." Marine Drugs 19, no. 1: 5.

Journal article
Published: 03 December 2020 in Biomolecules
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The present work established the optimization and production of biodegradable thermoplastic polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) from Amazonian microalga Stigeoclonium sp. B23. The optimization was performed in eight different growth media conditions of Stigeoclonium sp. B23, supplemented with sodium acetate and sodium bicarbonate and total deprivation of sodium nitrate. B23 was stained with Nile Red, and PHB was extracted and quantified by correlating the amount of fluorescence and biopolymer concentration through spectrofluorimetry and spectrophotometry, respectively. Our results detected the production of PHB in Stigeoclonium sp. B23 and in all modified media. Treatment with increased acetate and bicarbonate and without nitrate gave the highest concentration of PHB, while the treatment with only acetate gave the lowest among supplemented media. Our results showed a great potential of Stigeoclonium sp. B23, the first Amazonian microalga reported on PHB production. The microalga was isolated from a poorly explored and investigated region and proved to be productive when compared to other cyanobacterial and bacterial species. Additionally, microalga biomass changes due to the nutritional conditions and, reversely, biopolymer is well-synthetized. This great potential could lead to the pursuit of new Amazonian microalgae species in the search for alternative polyesters.

ACS Style

Murilo Mourão; Diana Gomes Gradíssimo; Agenor Valadares Santos; Maria Paula Cruz Schneider; Silvia Maria Mathes Faustino; Vitor Vasconcelos; Luciana Pereira Xavier. Optimization of Polyhydroxybutyrate Production by Amazonian Microalga Stigeoclonium sp. B23. Biomolecules 2020, 10, 1628 .

AMA Style

Murilo Mourão, Diana Gomes Gradíssimo, Agenor Valadares Santos, Maria Paula Cruz Schneider, Silvia Maria Mathes Faustino, Vitor Vasconcelos, Luciana Pereira Xavier. Optimization of Polyhydroxybutyrate Production by Amazonian Microalga Stigeoclonium sp. B23. Biomolecules. 2020; 10 (12):1628.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Murilo Mourão; Diana Gomes Gradíssimo; Agenor Valadares Santos; Maria Paula Cruz Schneider; Silvia Maria Mathes Faustino; Vitor Vasconcelos; Luciana Pereira Xavier. 2020. "Optimization of Polyhydroxybutyrate Production by Amazonian Microalga Stigeoclonium sp. B23." Biomolecules 10, no. 12: 1628.

Journal article
Published: 02 December 2020 in Water
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Eutrophication and global climate change gather advantageous conditions for cyanobacteria proliferation leading to bloom formation and cyanotoxin production. In the Azores, eutrophication is a major concern, mainly in lakes where fertilizers and organic matter discharges have increased nutrient concentration. In this study, we focused on understanding the influence of environmental factors and lake characteristics on (i) cyanobacteria diversity and biomass and (ii) the presence of toxic strains and microcystin, saxitoxin, anatoxin-a, and cylindrospermopsin cyanotoxin-producing genes. Fifteen lakes from the Azores Archipelago were sampled seasonally, environmental variables were recorded in situ, cyanobacteria were analyzed with microscopic techniques, and cyanotoxin-producing genes were targeted through conventional PCR. Statistical analysis (DistLM) showed that lake typology-associated variables (lake’s depth, area, and altitude) were the most explanatory variables of cyanobacteria biomass and cyanotoxin-producing genes presence, although trophic variables (chlorophyll a and total phosphorus) influence species distribution in each lake type. Our main results revealed higher cyanobacteria biomass/diversity, and higher toxicity risk in lakes located at lower altitudes, associated with deep anthropogenic pressures and eutrophication scenarios. These results emphasize the need for cyanobacteria blooms control measures, mainly by decreasing anthropogenic pressures surrounding these lakes, thus decreasing eutrophication. We also highlight the potential for microcystin, saxitoxin, and anatoxin-a production in these lakes, hence the necessity to implement continuous mitigation protocols to avoid environmental and public health toxicity events.

ACS Style

Rita Cordeiro; Rúben Luz; Joana Vilaverde; Vitor Vasconcelos; Amélia Fonseca; Vítor Gonçalves. Distribution of Toxic Cyanobacteria in Volcanic Lakes of the Azores Islands. Water 2020, 12, 3385 .

AMA Style

Rita Cordeiro, Rúben Luz, Joana Vilaverde, Vitor Vasconcelos, Amélia Fonseca, Vítor Gonçalves. Distribution of Toxic Cyanobacteria in Volcanic Lakes of the Azores Islands. Water. 2020; 12 (12):3385.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rita Cordeiro; Rúben Luz; Joana Vilaverde; Vitor Vasconcelos; Amélia Fonseca; Vítor Gonçalves. 2020. "Distribution of Toxic Cyanobacteria in Volcanic Lakes of the Azores Islands." Water 12, no. 12: 3385.