Inhibition of the Anaerobic Growth of Brochothrix thermosphacta by Lactic Acid

Abstract

B. thermosphacta can grow aerobically in the presence of 210 mM L-lactate and anerobically in its absence at pH values down to at least 5.5. Anaerobic growth is inhibited by L-lactate, the concentration of undissociated lactic acid being the governing factor. Posterior meat usually contains sufficient lactic acid to select against the anaerobic growth of B. thermosphacta. At least some Lactobacillaceae strains are more resistant to lactic acid and so their growth is favored on vacuum-packaged meat.