Abstract
In the medium of the low pH value, acid antiseptics (salicylic, benzoic, dehydroacetic and sorbic acid) transfer very rapidly from the medium to yeast cells, and these antiseptics are accumulated in the cells.
The transferred quantity is in equilibrium with the concentration of the undissociated anti-septics in the medium, and the ratio of the transferred quantity to the concentration of the total antiseptics in the medium is limited by the pH in the medium. Accordingly, it has been considered that the pH value affects the transfer ratio and results in the variation of the toxic effect of the antiseptics.
In connection with this, not only the ionization equilibrium, but also the adsorption of the undissociated antiseptics on the solid phase of the cell has been assumed to be related to the accumlatian of the antiseptics.
