Growth and exotoxin production at low temperatures by Aeromonas strains in meat slurries

The ability of enterotoxigenic strains of Aeromonas hydrophila and Aeromonas sobria to produce exotoxins (haemolysin and enterotoxin) and exoenzymes (protease and lipase), as well as their growth in meat slurries stored at low temperatures (5 and 12 degrees C) was investigated. The results showed that Aeromonas grew well in meat slurries stored at low temperatures in the presence of background flora. Exotoxins and exoenzymes were not detected in filtrates from meat slurries inoculated with enterotoxigenic Aeromonas strains after 5 and 8 days incubation at both incubation temperatures. The significance of the competitive growth of aeromonads in foods at refrigeration temperatures is discussed.