Cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in surface freshwaters of Vojvodina [Serbia] | Cijanobakterije i cijanotoksini u površinskim vodama Vojvodine [Srbija]

This book reviews the results of monitoring of 18 freshwater ecosystems in the Vojvodina region (Serbia), in sense of attending eutrophication process, appearance of cyanobacterial mass growth, occurrence of potentially toxic species and cyanotoxins, microcystins. During the period summer 2005-autumn 2007, almost 50% of the investigated water ecosystems were found in the toxic blooming state. Presence of health hazardous substances hepatotoxins, microcystins were detected in all the examined waters. Microcystin concentrations were measured by a protein phosphatase inhibition assay (PP1), which is optimized and was for the first time used for cyanotoxin detection in surface waters of this region. The concentrations of microcystins, calculated as microcystin-LR equivalents were in the 0.95-603.61 microg/L range and they represent the first results of cyanotoxin presence in Vojvodina. The results are important for general water quality monitoring system and potential risk indication during the usage of the investigated fresh waters. Because the study demonstrates a high prevalence of microcystin-producing cyanobacterial strains in the freshwaters, therefore regular monitoring is highly desirable and this book gives one model in order to minimize health risks associated with the usage of the investigated freshwaters. This book also reviews the ecophysiological properties and metabolic activity of 14 potentially toxic cyanobacterial strains isolated from investigated water ecosystems. Results of cyanobacterial ecophysiology showed that every feature is strong specific strain ability. Tests approved that all investigated cyanobacteria are toxic strains and all of them had ability to produce microcystins what is very important in maintaining of ecological endanger and potential health risk assessment in case of their mass growth in waters. All isolated cyanobacterial strains except toxin production, had important biotechnological potential in production of biomass, proteins, phycobilins and antibacterial substances, what is important for their possible application in pharmacology, medicine, food industry and environmental protection.