A marine killer yeast against the pathogenic yeast strain in crab (Portunus trituberculatus) and an optimization of the toxin production

SummaryA pathogenic yeast strain WCY which could cause milky disease in Portunus trituberculatus was identified to be Metschnikowia bicuspidate according to the results of routine yeast identification and 18S rDNA and ITS sequences. After screening of more than 300 yeast strains from different sources in marine environments, it was found that strain YF07b had the highest ability to produce killer toxin against the pathogenic yeast. Strain YF07b was identified to be Pichia anomala according to the results of routine yeast identification and 18S rDNA and ITS sequences. The optimal conditions for killer toxin production by strain YF07b were the production medium with 2.0% NaCl, pH 4.5, cultivation temperature of 20 °C and the optimal conditions for action of the crude killer toxin against the pathogenic yeast were the assay medium with 6.0% NaCl, pH 4.5 and temperature 15 °C.