Environmental Toxicology Research Tools

Microcystins

Hepatotoxic microcystins produced by cyanobacteria are primarily found in water and pose health hazards to animals and humans.

• Microcystin ELISA Kit
• Microcystin-LR
• Microcystin-LA
• Microcystin-RR

Marine Toxins

Marine toxins, often associated with harmful algal blooms (HABs), are produced by various species of phytoplankton, as well as other marine organisms. Many of these toxins can accumulate in shellfish or fish and pose risks to humans and animals through ingestion of contaminated seafood.

• Domoic Acid
• Tetrodotoxin
• Okadaic Acid
• Brevetoxin 3

Mycotoxins

Mycotoxins can cause acute and chronic health issues in humans and animals. Common exposure routes include fungal contamination of building materials, agricultural crops, and animal feed. Mycotoxins of particular concern include aflatoxins, ochratoxins, fumonisins, zearalenone, patulin, gliotoxins, and trichothecenes such as deoxynivalenol and satratoxins. Cayman offers an expansive collection of mycotoxins, metabolites, and isotopically labeled standards to support mycotoxin research.

• Aflatoxins
• Ochratoxins
• Fumonisins
• Zearalenone
• Patulin
• Gliotoxins
• Trichothecenes
• Mycotoxin Mixture 5 (CRM)

PFAS

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are used in numerous consumer products and industrial applications, including firefighting foams, food packaging, nonstick cookware, and cosmetics. Their high stability and widespread use contribute to their pervasive presence and persistence in the environment, as well as living organisms.

• Pentadecafluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)
• Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid (PFOS)
• Perfluorohexanesulfonic Acid (PFHxS)

PPDs & PPD-Qs

N,N’-Disubstituted p-phenylenediamines (PPDs) are used as antioxidants and antiozonants in tires and other rubber products to protect against oxidative degradation. Their extensive use has resulted in widespread release of these compounds and their degradation products into the environment. Of particular concern are 6-PPD and its ozonation byproduct, 6-PPD-quinone (6-PPD-Q), which is highly toxic to certain aquatic organisms such as coho salmon. Cayman offers various PPDs, degradation products, metabolites, isotopically labeled standards, and services to study these compounds.

• 6-PPD-Q Standards Set
• 6-PPD-Q (CRM)
• ¹³C₆-6-PPD-Q
• p-hydroxy 6-PPD-Q

Dioxins

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants primarily produced by anthropogenic activities such as waste incineration, combustion events, and certain industrial processes. Their high toxicity, capacity for bioaccumulation, and persistence in the environment pose significant environmental and health risks.

• 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)
• 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF)

Heavy Metals

Toxic heavy metals and metalloids are persistent environmental pollutants in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems that can bioaccumulate. They are released into the environment through natural sources, such as volcanic eruptions, as well as anthropogenic activities including mining, industrial processes, and agricultural activities.

• Heavy Metals Mixture 5 (CRM)
• Trace Metal Standards (CRM)

Pesticides

While pesticides are useful for increasing agricultural yields and decreasing the spread of insect vectors of disease, contamination of food, water, soil, and air can lead to acute and chronic health effects in non-target organisms, including humans and animals. Cayman offers pesticides, metabolites, and isotopically labeled standards to support pesticide research.

• Acaricides
• Fungicides
• Herbicides
• Insecticides
• Pesticide Screening Library (96-Well)

Dioxins Activate the AhR

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and persistent organic pollutants, particularly dioxins, primarily exert their biological and toxic effects through activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Cayman offers cell-based reporter assays to screen test samples for activity against AhR.

Hormones & Hormone Receptors

Some environmental contaminants, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), PFAS, certain pesticides, and plasticizers such as phthalates and bisphenols are considered endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). EDCs can affect endocrine function by disrupting hormone synthesis, transport, and metabolism and/or altering hormone receptor signaling. Certain organic pollutants have also been shown to increase levels of the stress hormone cortisol in fish. Alterations to hormone function can result in a variety of adverse effects on reproduction, energy metabolism, the thyroid system, and stress responses.

• Cortisol ELISA Kit (Express)
• Corticosterone ELISA Kit
• Estradiol ELISA Kit
• 11-keto Testosterone ELISA Kit

Vitellogenin: A Biomarker for Estrogenic Compounds in Aquatic Ecosystems

In aquatic ecosystems, increased levels of vitellogenin in male fish serves as a biomarker for environmental exposure to EDCs with estrogenic activity. Cayman offers a variety of ELISA kits, antibodies, and protein standards to measure vitellogenin levels in numerous species.

• Vitellogenin ELISA Kits
• Vitellogenin Antibodies
• Vitellogenin Standards