Iron-stimulated toxin production in Microcystis aeruginosa.

Nitrate- and phosphate-limited conditions had no effect on toxin production by Microcystis aeruginosa. In contrast, iron-limited conditions influenced toxin production by M. aeruginosa, and iron uptake was light dependent. A model for production of toxin by M. aeruginosa is proposed.     

New process for T-2 toxin production.

Strains of Fusarium produced high levels of T-2 toxin when cultured on certain media absorbed into vermiculite. Modified Gregory medium was nutritionally complex (2% soya meal, 0.5% corn steep liquor, 10% glucose) and, when inoculated with the appropriate fungal strain, yielded maximum T-2 toxin within 24 days of incubation at 19 degrees C. On Vogel synthetic medium N (H. J. Vogel, Microb. Genet, Bull. 13:42-43, 1956) supplemented with 5% glucose, optimal toxin levels were synthesized after incubation for 12 to 14 days at 15 degrees C. Fusarium tricinctum T-340 produced 714 and 353 mg/liter on modified Gregory medium and Vogel synthetic medium N plus 5% glucose, respectively. Improved analytical procedures were developed and involved aqueous methanol extraction, purification by liquid-liquid partitions, and gas-chromatographic quantitation.     

PR toxin production in different Penicillium roqueforti strains.

Different Penicillium roqueforti strains from the American Type Culture Collection were tested for the production of PR toxin. All four strains were able to produce the toxin on semisynthetic medium at 24 degrees C after certain periods of incubation. The yields were correlated with the pH of the medium. Timing of the harvest influenced both the yield and purification of the toxin.     

PR toxin production in different Penicillium roqueforti strains.

Different Penicillium roqueforti strains from the American Type Culture Collection were tested for the production of PR toxin. All four strains were able to produce the toxin on semisynthetic medium at 24 degrees C after certain periods of incubation. The yields were correlated with the pH of the medium. Timing of the harvest influenced both the yield and purification of the toxin.     

Regulation of toxin production in the pathogenic clostridia

The genus Clostridium comprises a large, heterogeneous group of obligate anaerobic, Gram‐positive spore forming bacilli. Members of this genus are ubiquitous in the environment and although most species are considered saprophytic, several are pathogenic to both humans and animals. These bacteria cause a variety of diseases including neuroparalysis, gas gangrene, necrotic enteritis, food poisoning, toxic shock syndrome and pseudomembraneous colitis, which in most cases arise as a consequence of the production of potent exotoxins. Treatment options are often limited, underscoring the need for new treatment strategies and novel therapeutics. Understanding the fundamental mechanisms and signals that control toxin production in the pathogenic clostridia may lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets that can be exploited in the development of new antimicrobial agents.     

Factors affecting the production of eremofortin C and PR toxin in Penicillium roqueforti.

Eremofortin C (EC) and PR toxin are secondary metabolites of Penicillium roqueforti. Of 17 strains from the American Type Culture Collection that were studied for their ability to produce EC and PR toxin, 13 produced these metabolites. Toxin production by strains grown in solid media (10 cereals and 8 other agricultural products) was also investigated. Production of EC and PR toxin by fungi grown on cereals was greater than production of EC and PR toxin by fungi grown on legumes; fungi grown on corn produced the greatest amount of PR toxin. Addition of corn extracts to the culture medium greatly increased the production of EC and PR toxin in a coordinated manner, with no significant change in mycelial dry weight. The fungi produced the highest levels of EC and PR toxin at 20 to 24 degrees C depending on the strain. Toxin production was higher in stationary cultures than in cultures that were gently shaken at 120 rpm. The optimum pH for production of both EC and PR toxin was around pH 4.0. With regard to spore age, toxin levels did not change significantly when we used spores obtained from fungi that were grown at 24 degrees C for 3 up to 48 days.