The effect of food preservatives on pH homeostasis in Escherichia coli.
The effects of cinnamic, propionic, benzoic and sorbic acids on the growth and intracellular pH of Escherichia coli were investigated. The data suggest that the potency of weak acids as food preservatives is related to their capacity to reduce specifically the intracellular pH. The data also suggest that although both the undissociated forms of the acid cause the intracellular pH to fall, growth inhibition is due predominantly to the undissociated acid.
D001565:Benzoates / Q000494:pharmacology; D019817:Benzoic Acid; D002934:Cinnamates / Q000494:pharmacology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D005520:Food Preservatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D011422:Propionates / Q000494:pharmacology; D013011:Sorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology
D001565:Benzoates; D002934:Cinnamates; D005520:Food Preservatives; D011422:Propionates; C029010:cinnamic acid; D019817:Benzoic Acid; C029658:propionic acid; D013011:Sorbic Acid