Effects of d-menthol stress on the growth of and microcystin release by the freshwater cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa FACHB-905.

•d-Menthol could inhibit the growth of Microcystis aeruginosa cells effectively.•After intracellular MCY was released, the concentration of extracellular MCY increased in the medium increased gradually.•The d-menthol exposure could not degrade the intracellular MCY.