The effect of citric acid, lactic acid, sodium citrate and sodium lactate, alone and in combination with nisin, on the growth of Arcobacter butzleri

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The importance of Arcobacter spp. as a cause of human foodborne illness is unresolved. Organic acids and their sodium salts, and nisin are preservatives commonly used in the type of foods from which the organism is recovered. In this study their effect on the growth of A. butzleri in culture, alone and in combination, was investigated. At 0.5%, 1.0% and 2.0% lactic and citric acids inhibited A. butzleri growth; 2% sodium lactate was effective in inhibiting growth over 8 h incubation but not over longer periods. Sodium citrate was more effective than sodium lactate. Nisin alone inhibited A. butzleri growth at 500 IU ml-1 over 5 h. It did not enhance the effect of sodium citrate inhibition but it did augment the effect of sodium lactate alone over 8 h.