ENTEROTOXIN FROM BACILLUS-CEREUS - PRODUCTION AND BIOCHEMICAL-CHARACTERIZATION

Bacillus cereus produces enterotoxin, haemolysin and lecithinase (phos pholipase C, EC 3.1.4.3) under anaerobic conditions. The total amount produced under aerobic and anaerobic conditions is comparable. Bacillu s cereus grows quite well under anaerobic conditions, though slower th an under aerobic conditions. So the enterotoxin may be produced in the small intestine. It is inactivated after being exposed to pH 3 and de graded by proteolytic enzymes. Thus Bacillus cereus food poisoning, di arrhoeal syndrome, is caused by ingestion of the cells rather than by ready formed enterotoxin. Calcium ion has no effect on the toxicity of the enterotoxin from B. cereus.