Human health risks associated with exposure to
algal and cyanobacterial toxins (phycotoxins) have been
largely concerned with aquatic habitats. People inhabiting de-
sert environments may be exposed to phycotoxins present in
terrestrial environments, where cyanobacterial crusts domi-
nate. Seafood comprises a significant portion of the human
diet in desert environments proximal to an ocean or sea.
Consequently, in addition to terrestrial exposure to
cyanotoxins, the potential exists that seafood may be an im-
portant exposure route for cyanotoxins in desert regions.
Understanding the possible risk of exposure from seafood will
help create cyanotoxin health guidelines for people living in
environments that rely on seafood. Commonly-consumed lo-
cal seafood products destined for human consumption were
purchased from a fish market in Doha, Qatar. Organs were
excised, extracted, and analyzed for the neurotoxic amino acid
β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) and the isomers 2,4-
diaminobutyric acid (DAB) and N-2(aminoethyl)glycine
(AEG). The presence and concentration of neurotoxic amino
acids were investigated in organisms from various trophic
levels to examine the potential for biomagnification.

• Analysis of Neurotoxic Amino Acids from Marine Waters, Microbial Mats, and Seafood Destined for Human Consumption in the Arabian Gulf