Rationale for the permissible concentration of β-N-methylamino-L-alanine in drinking water supplies and water used for household consumption for the population

Introduction. The non-proteinogenic amino acid β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) is a compound produced by certain types of cyanobacteria inhabiting fresh and marine waters and soil, as well as by certain representatives of phytoplankton widespread in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Through the food chain, BMAA enters zooplankton and the cells of invertebrates, accumulates in fish tissues, and subsequently enters the organisms of higher animals and humans.

In the human body, BMAA causes changes that manifest later in life as Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and parkinsonism.

Materials and Methods. A certified reference analytical standard of BMAA was used as the material in experimental studies. Molecular formula: C₄H₁₀N₂O₂, molecular weight: 118.13 g/mol, CAS 15920-93-1. Primary data processing was performed using Microsoft Office Excel 2013. Statistical analysis was conducted in SPSS Statistics v. 22.0 at α = 0.05. The studies included an analysis of domestic and international scientific research results on the physicochemical properties and toxicity of BMAA, as well as an experimental study of its effect on the organoleptic properties of water and the sanitary regime of the water body. Assessment of general toxic, embryotoxic, and teratogenic effects was conducted under conditions of intragastric administration to animals.

Results. Parameters of BMAA impact on water odor and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) were established (threshold concentrations of 10 and 3 mg/L, respectively), as well as the threshold dose for general toxic effects under subacute experimental conditions. Using forecasting methods, the maximum no-effect concentration was calculated based on the sanitary-toxicological hazard indicator (0.05 mg/kg b.w.).

Limitation. The studies are limited by the duration of the subacute experiment.

Conclusion. The value of the Maximum Permissible Concentration (MPC) of BMAA in water for household, drinking, and cultural-domestic use is justified at the level of 1 mg/L (sanitary-toxicological hazard indicator, Hazard class 3). For monitoring content in water, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was developed with a measurement range of 0.005–5.0 mg/L.

Compliance with ethical standards. Approval was obtained from the Biomedical Ethics Committee of the Federal Scientific Center for Hygiene named after F.F. Erisman” (Protocol No. 03/22 dated 11/21/2022).

Contributions:
Sinitsyna O.O. – conceptualization and design of the study, editing;
Turbinsky V.V. – conceptualization and design of the study, writing of the text, editing;
Pushkareva M.V., Shiryaeva M.A. – writing of the text, editing;
Kuz N.V. – conceptualization and design of the study, data collection and processing, writing of the text;
Ryashentseva T.M., Masaltsev G.V., Safandeev V.V. – data collection.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding. The study had no sponsorship.

Received: March 3, 2026 / Revised: April 20, 2026 / Accepted:  June 18, 2026 / Published: July 31, 2026

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