SELECTIVITY OF SORBIC ACID MEDIA FOR THE CATALASE NEGATIVE LACTIC ACID BACTERIA AND CLOSTRIDIA

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Abstract
Sorbic acid is used in media to favor selectively the growth of the catalase-negative lactic acid bacteria. Its effectivness is dependent upon the concn., the type of basal medium, and the pH of that medium. 0.12% sorbic acid contained in liver broth or agar permitted the growth of lactic acid bacteria and clostridia but inhibited the catalase-positive actinomyces, bacteria, molds, and yeasts when the initial pH values of the media were in the range 5.0 to 5.5 and the media contained no phosphate salts. The use of sorbic acid in liver infusion or some equally efficient basal medium is suggested as a means for enrichment and presumptive isolation of the catalase-negative bacteria, particularly species of Lactobacillus.