Improved detection of β-N-methylamino-l-alanine using N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of N-butylnicotinic acid for the localization of BMAA in blue mussels (Mytilus edulis)

• Published in: Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry 2015-05, Vol.407 (13), p.3743-3750
• Main Authors: Andrýs, Rudolf, Zurita, Javier, Zguna, Nadezda, Verschueren, Klaas, De Borggraeve, Wim M., Ilag, Leopold L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amino acids; Amino Acids, Diamino - analysis; Amino Acids, Diamino - chemistry; Analytical Chemistry; analytisk kemi; Animals; Biochemistry; BMAA; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Chromatography, Liquid - methods; Esterification; Esters; Food Analysis - methods; Food Science; Improved derivatization; Isomers; Laboratory Medicine; LC-MS/MS; Localization; Mass Spectrometry - methods; Monitoring/Environmental Analysis; Mussels; Mytilus edulis; Mytilus edulis - chemistry; Neurotoxin; Nicotinic Acids - chemistry; Position (location); Public health; Quaternary ammonium; Reproducibility of Results; Research Paper; Seafood; Sensitivity and Specificity; Succinimides - chemistry; Toxins
• ISSN: 1618-2642; 1618-2650; 1618-2650
• DOI: 10.1007/s00216-015-8597-2

β- N -Methylamino- l -alanine (BMAA) is an important non-protein amino acid linked to neurodegenerative diseases, specifically amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Because it can be transferred and bioaccumulated higher up the food chain, it poses significant public health concerns; thus, improved detection methods are of prime importance for the identification and management of these toxins. Here, we report the successful use of N -hydroxysuccinimide ester of N -butylnicotinic acid (C 4 -NA-NHS) for the efficient separation of BMAA from its isomers and higher sensitivity in detecting BMAA compared to the current method of choice using 6-aminoquinolyl- N -hydroxysuccinimidyl carbamate (AQC) derivatization. Implementation of this efficient method allowed localization of BMAA in the non-visceral tissues of blue mussels, suggesting that more efficient depuration may be required to remove this toxin prior to consumption. This is a crucial method in establishing the absence or presence of the neurotoxic amino acid BMAA in food, environmental or biomedical samples.