PCR-based detection of mcy genes in blooms of Microcystis and extracellular DNA of pond water

) in the late 19th century, toxic cyanobacterial blooms have been reported from many parts of the world (Carmichael, 1994; Oberholster et al., 2004; Kurmayer and Christiansen, 2009). Toxins of cyanobacteria (cyanotoxins) are very diverse in their chemical structure and toxicity (Kaebernick and Neilan, 2001). Several cyanobacterial toxins with hepato-, neuro- and dermatotoxic effects have been isolated and characterized (Tyagi et al., 1999; Kurmayer and Christiansen, 2009). Of these, microcystins (hepatotoxin) are the most ubiquitous cyanotoxins that have been responsible for the widespread deaths of animals throughout the world (Carmichael, 1994; Oberholster et