title: Antibacterial activity of citrate and acetate.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated citrate salt, acetate salt, and their combinations for antibacterial activity against a sample of common pathogens.
  
  
  METHODS
  Bacterial suspensions were added to serial microdilutions of the salts in broth, with final cell concentrations of 10(4-5) colony-forming units per milliliter. After overnight incubation at 35 degrees C, the minimum inhibitory concentration was recorded. Bactericidal activity was screened by quantitative subcultures from the minimum inhibitory concentration dilution.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Citrate salt was active against gram-positive species and Candida albicans but showed little activity against gram-negative species; acetate salt showed the opposite results. Their combination did not show synergism or antagonism.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It may be feasible to take advantage of the different antibacterial spectra of these two agents and combine them for possible application such as food or medical preservative agents.
authors.affiliation: Medical Center, University of California-Irvine, 101 City Drive, Orange, CA 92868, USA.
authors.forename: Yee-lean
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cesario
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Owens
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Shanbrom
authors.forename: Lauri D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Thrupp
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000187:drug effects; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects; D002951:Citrates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000187:drug effects; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D007711:Klebsiella pneumoniae / Q000187:drug effects; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D019347:Potassium Acetate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects; D012706:Serratia marcescens / Q000187:drug effects; D000077559:Sodium Citrate; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000187:drug effects; D015008:Yersinia enterocolitica / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D002951:Citrates; D000077559:Sodium Citrate; D019347:Potassium Acetate