Toxin Produced by Euglenoid Algae

Introduction An alga was isolated from an aquaculture fish pond during a fish kill event. The alga was grown in pure culture and was determined to be responsible for the fish deaths. The algae were grown in sufficient biomass to extract the toxin.  Description of Technology Michigan State University’s invention is a method of isolating and purifying euglenophycin, a toxin derived from Euglena sanguinea. The novel toxin composition is obtained from euglenoid algae isolates. The purified toxins produced by these euglenoid isolates have activity against cancerous cell lines.  Applications The compound may have applications as an anticancer compound or as a useful carrier molecule for pharmaceutical testing. Patent Status US patent 7,943,142 Inventors Richard Triemer, Paul Victor Zimba, Kevin Beauchesne, Peter Moeller Tech ID TEC2008-0014

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