Abstract
Summary: In suitable media the relationship between the citrate content and the acetoin formed by the growth ofStreptococcus lactisvar.diacetilactisNCDO 1007 is linear. An assay method for citrate is described which is based on this relationship. It has been used to assay the residual citrate in cultures of lactic acid bacteria and, therefore, to assess the ability of these bacteria to dissimilate citrate. Some suitable media for the test are described.