Three mesophilic strains of Bacillus cereus known to produce emetic toxin were used to model germination, growth and emetic toxin production in boiled rice cultures at incubation temperatures ranging from 8degreesC to 30degreesC. Minimum temperatures for germination and growth in boiled rice were found to be 15degreesC for all strains. Toxin production at 15degreesC was found to be significantly greater (P 7.0 log(10)cfu g(-1)). In this study, the lower temperature limit for germination and growth on solid laboratory medium was found to be 12degreesC for all strains, i.e. 3degreesC lower than that observed in boiled rice.
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