Purification of Microcystin-LR by Solid-Phase Extraction Procedure

Solid-phase extraction procedure was successfully used to purify microcystin-LR from cultured cyanobacteria. The method involved collection of cells by flocculation with polyaluminium chloride, extraction of harvested cells by 50% aqueous methanol, clean-up by liquid-liquid extraction with dichloromethane, and purification by solid-phase extraction. More than 8 mg of microcystin-LR with a purity of 95% (at 238 nm) was obtained in a single run (recovery, 85%). The present method provides a simple and efficient one step purification eliminating the need to use preparative HPLC.