EFFECT OF ZINC ON PRODUCTION OF VARIOUS TOXINS OF CLOSTRIDIUM PERFRINGENS

The synthesis of alpha toxin by a strain of Clostridium perfringens decreased greatly when zinc was omitted from the synthetic medium SM67, while growth was not affected significantly by the depletion of the metal. The metal was also required for the maximum production of kappa toxin, while it was unnecessary for theta toxin. The inhibitory effect of cystine for the production of alpha toxin was partly recovered by zinc. Among divalent cations, manganese is the only one which can partially replace zinc. Cobalt and nickel may have an effect similar to zinc but the results were inconsistent. The supernatant of the culture in the medium deprived of zinc and manganese was toxic to mice while the phospholipase and hemolysin activities were very low. The toxin was neutralized by a specific alpha antitoxin. © 1969, Sage Publications. All rights reserved.