Toxin production of dinoflagellate Gymnodinium catenatum isolated from the East China Sea

•PST production by a Gymnodinium catenatum strain from East China Sea were studied.•The strain produced mainly N-sulfocarbamoyl and hydroxybenzoate PST components.•Temperature has little effects on toxin production features of G. catenatum.•Nutrient limitation decreased percentage of GC toxins at stationary growth phase.•Using ammonium as the nitrogen source raised cellular toxin quota of G. catenatum.