(18c) Removal of Cyanobacterial Toxins Using Polymeric Nanoparticles

Communities are faced with significant threats to health by the supplied water from lakes or reservoirs that develop algal bloom. During a bloom, cyanobacteria release the bacterial cell wall component endotoxin, and other toxins into the water, which enter the bloodstream upon ingestion causing an overwhelming inflammatory response in humans. Water treatment plants currently use a series of standard cleansing procedures to diminish cyanotoxins, however, finding an effective and affordable technique remains a challenge. Here, we propose a new approach based on biocompatible polymeric NPs in particulate, and membrane forms with a previously proven capability to achieve improved effectiveness and efficiency in removing cyanotoxins from water. Removal of cyanotoxins were assessed using nanometer-sized poly-e-caprolactone (PCL) NPs with specifically different diameters and shapes as synthesized in the PI’s laboratory. Membranes were constructed incorporating PCL NPs of various diameters and shapes to create a corrugated surface for effective cyanotoxin removal from contaminated water.