Release of some staphylococcal enzymes and toxins under the influence of size of inoculum and time of incubation

With increasing size of inoculum (0.025, 0.25, 2.5 g of wet Staphylococcus aureus per 100 ml broth) maximal coagulase-activity (256–512 U/ml) was detected in the supernatant after 30 min-2 hr of incubation at 37°C. Alpha- and beta-hemolysins appeared later (after 8–24 hr of incubation). Acid/alkaline phosphatase could be demonstrated from the beginning of incubation, but their maximal activity in culture supernatant could be demonstrated after 8–24 hr of incubation (Table 1). Thus, size of inoculum and time of incubation have a greater significance in the optimal production of some staphylococcal substances than generally assumed.