Effects of temperature, medium composition, pH, salt and dissolved oxygen on haemolysin and cytotoxin production by Aeromonas hydrophila isolated from oyster

The effects of temperature, medium composition, pH, salt content and dissolved oxygen (DO) on the production of haemolysin and cytotoxin by one strain of Aeromonas hydrophila isolated from oyster were investigated. Four media were tested: brain heart infusion broth (BHIB), casamino acid-yeast extract broth (CAYEB), nutrient broth (NB), and trypticase soy broth (TSB). BHIB was the best for toxin production even though the growth rates for Aeromonas hydrophila in all of these media were quite similar. Aeromonas hydrophila could produce haemolysin and cytotoxin at 37, 28 and 5°C; however, the toxins were produced faster and were more stable at 28°C than at 37°C. Although Aeromonas hydrophila itself is tolerant to 5% (w/v) salt in BHIB and a pH range of pH 5.5 to 10.0, the production of haemolysin and cytotoxin was apparently decreased in the presence of 1–5% (w/v) NaCl or when the pH of the medium was greater or less than 7.2. The DO values in the culture medium during the stationary growth phase also seemed to affect toxin production; greater quantities of toxins were produced when the DO values were higher.