Susceptibility of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and lactic acid bacteria from the alcohol industry to several antimicrobial compounds

Oliva-Neto, Pedro deYokoya, Fumio

The antimicrobial effect of several products including commercial formulations currently used in sugar and alcohol factories was determined by adapted MIC (Minimal Inhibitory Concentration) test on Saccharomyces cerevisiae and on natural contaminants Lactobacillus fermentum and Leuconostoc mesenteroides. The MIC test by macrodilution broth method was adapted by formulating of the culture medium with cane juice closely simulating industrial alcoholic fermentation must. Acid penicillin V (MIC 0.10-0.20 µg/ml) and clindamycin (MIC 0.05-0.40 µg/ml) were most effective against bacterial growth in 24 h. Among the chemicals, sulphite (MIC 10-40 µg/ml), nitrite (MIC <117 µg/ml) and copper sulphate (75-300 µg/ml) were the most effective. Zinc and manganese ethylene-bis-dithiocarbamate and dimethyldithiocarbamate did not show good inhibitory effect on bacteria (MIC > 50 µg/ml). Methyldithiocarbamate was efficient only on L. fermentum (MIC 2.5 µg/ml) and S. cerevisiae (MIC 5.0 µg/ml). Thiocianate (MIC 1.2-5.0 µg/ml), bromophenate (MIC 9-18 µg/ml) and n- alkyldimethylbenzylammonium cloride (MIC 1-8 µg/ml) affected S. cerevisiae at similar inhibitory concentration for L. mesenteroides or L. fermentum. Formaldehyde was more effective on bacteria (MIC 11.5 - 23 µg/ml) in both pH (4.5 and 6.5) than yeast (MIC 46-92 µg/ml). Several tested formulated biocides seriously affect S. cerevisiae growth in the similar dosages of the bacterial inhibition, so these products should be avoided or used only in special conditions for the bacterium control of fermentation process. For this step, the control of these contaminants by antibiotics are more suitable and effective.(au)