title: Effect of ammonia on the growth of Bacillus species and some other bacteria.
abstract: The tolerance of 26 Bacillus species isolated from alkaline fermented foods, five other bacilli and nine non spore-forming bacteria to alkaline pH and ammonia was determined. All grew at pH 7, 8 and 9 in the presence of 930 mmol l-1 NH4 + at pH 7.0, and in the presence of NH3 concentrations up to 5 mmol l-1 at pH 7.0 and 8.0. At higher NH3 concentrations, growth of some of the bacteria was inhibited and at 500 mmol l-1 only B. pasteurii and B. pumilus grew. Bacteria from alkaline food fermentations included strains relatively sensitive to NH3 (inhibited by 50 mmol l-1) and relatively tolerant strains (grew in the presence of 300 mmol l-1) and there was no evidence that they were more tolerant to NH3 than bacteria not associated with these fermentations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Technology, The University of Reading, Reading, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leejeerajumnean
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ames
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Owens
mesh_terms: D000641:Ammonia / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001407:Bacillus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D003470:Culture Media; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D000641:Ammonia