Cyanobacteria are bacteria found in different ecosystems, such as lakes and rocks. These bacteria, capable of photosynthesis, are important sources of oxygen. However, some cyanobacterial strains can produce toxins, which are harmful to humans and animals. Therefore, collection of epidemiological and surveillance data on cyanobacterial toxins in the environment is vital to ensure a low risk of exposure to toxins in other organisms. For presentation of accurate data on environmental cyanobacterial toxins, it is essential to understand their characteristics, including taxonomy, toxin proteins, and genomic structures, and determine their environmental effects on bacterial populations and toxin production. Taxonomy, which is the scientific classification of organisms, is important in identifying species producing toxins. The structure of toxin proteins and their stability in the environment allow researchers to detect toxins with analytical methods and discuss their limitations. Onthe other hand, identifying toxins via molecular typing enables researchers to investigate toxic cyanobacteria by detecting toxin-encoding genes and toxin gene expression. Meanwhile, environmental factors, such as nutrient level, light intensity, and biotic factors, allow researchers to predict the suitable time and location for accurate sampling. In this review, these cyanobacterial features, which are important for accurate detection of cyanobacterial toxins, will be discussed.

Toxic cyanobacteria blooms became a worldwide problems as many countries encounter the presence of the blooms in most of water bodies. As part to develop monitoring of cyanobacterial toxins in Malaysia, samples taken in twelve points in five different lakes in Miri, Sarawak. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of cyanobacterial 16S rRNA were carried out to detect the presence of cyanobacteria in the water samples. Cyanobacterial 16S rRNA were detected in all the samples collected. While molecular analysis for detection of cyanobacterial toxin encoding gene were done using specific primers. PCR amplification of cyanobacterial toxin-encoding gene were carried using the combination of forward primer; mcyE-F2 and reverse primer; mcyE-R4 to amplify generic microcystin (mcyE) gene in the samples. Out of twelve samples collected, microcystin (mcyE) producing gene was detected in one of the samples tested. Presence of microcystin encoding gene indicates the risk of cyanobacterial toxins in Miri, Sarawak.

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