19th International Conference on Chemistry and the Environment (ICCE 2025)
8-12 June 2025, Belgrade, Serbia
This prestigious event was hosted by the Serbian Chemical Society with the support of the University of Belgrade and the University of Novi Sad. More than 450 participants from Europe and around the world were expected to attend. 
Results obtained during CYANOMETA project were presented by dr. Vladimir Mihailović from the University of Kragujevac, Serbia as a poster presentation entitled: In vitro evaluation of hemolytic properties of Raphidiopsis raciborskii strains: Geographic and toxicological variations. Our study has revealed significant geographic and toxicological differences in the hemolytic activity of Raphidiopsis raciborskii strains. Cyanobacterial extracts from Poland, Israel, and Australia were tested on human red blood cells and found that Polish strains, although classified as non-toxic, exhibited the strongest hemolytic effects, particularly at higher concentrations. Surprisingly, Australian strains known to produce the cyanotoxin cylindrospermopsin showed little or no hemolytic activity, as did Microcystis aeruginosa, a microcystin producer used as a reference. These results suggest that unknown metabolites, rather than established cyanotoxins, may be responsible for red blood cell damage, highlighting the need for further research into the unidentified compounds contributing to the toxicity of R. raciborskii.