title: Effect of water activity on enterotoxin A production and growth of Staphylococcus aureus.
abstract: Previous studies indicated that enterotoxin B production by staphylococci was strongly inhibited by slight reductions in water activity (a(w)) levels. Similar studies reported herein, employing an enterotoxin A-producing strain, indicated that this organism was capable of producing enterotoxin at a much lower a(w) level than that required for enterotoxin B production. Staphylococcal growth rates were slowed by decreased a(w) levels in all media tested; however, final cell counts did not drop below 10(8)/ml in the media with the lowest a(w) levels.
mesh_terms: D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D003470:Culture Media; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006813:Humidity; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D004768:Enterotoxins