Anne-Catherine Ahn

Dr. Anne-Catherine Ahn


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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27 July 2022 in Toxins
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
WHWannes Hugo R. Van Hassel
Wannes Hugo R. Van Hassel
AAAnne-Catherine Ahn
Anne-Catherine Ahn
BHBart Huybrechts
Bart Huybrechts
JMJulien Masquelier
Julien Masquelier
AWAnnick Wilmotte
Annick Wilmotte
MAMirjana Andjelkovic
Mirjana Andjelkovic
Food supplements are gaining popularity worldwide. However, harmful natural compounds can contaminate these products. In the case of algae-based products, the presence of toxin-producing cyanobacteria may cause health risks. However, data about the prevalence of algal food supplements on the Belgian market and possible contaminations with cyanotoxins are scarce. Therefore, we optimized and validated a method based on Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry to quantify eight microcystin congeners and nodularin in algal food supplements. Our analytical method was successfully validated and applied on 35 food supplement samples. Nine out of these samples contained microcystin congeners, of which three exceeded 1 µg g−1, a previously proposed guideline value. Additionally, the mcyE gene was amplified and sequenced in ten products to identify the taxon responsible for the toxin production. For seven out of these ten samples, the mcyE gene could be amplified and associated to Microcystis sp. EFSA and posology consumption data for algal-based food supplements were both combined with our toxin prevalence data to establish different toxin exposure scenarios to assess health risks and propose new guideline values.