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