In context with the first communication which deals with the characterization of the so-called brown contamination called forth by Enterobacteriaceae in the citric acid fermentation of molasses, the present paper describes the screening of antiseptic substances able to suppress the contamination mentioned without damaging the normal growth of the producing mould Aspergillus niger and its ability of producing citric acid. Among the substances tested the sodium salt of 5-nitrofurylacrylic acid (5-NFA) excelled partly because of its antiseptic effect in relatively small concentrations and partly because the mould tolerates appreciable amounts of this antiseptic. Therefore there may be applied, in the presence of a heavy contamination, relatively high concentrations of the antiseptic without fear of damaging the producing mould. Usually a dose of 10 to 15 mg 5-NFA in 11 of medium was sufficient to suppress the brown contamination.
Read full abstract