Growth of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris in the Hypoxic Environment of Bottled Fruit Juice

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Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris, an obligate aerobe and one of the most harmful bacteria in acidic beverages, requires oxygen for growth. However, the relationship between oxygen availability and its growth has not yet been quantified. We examined the correlation between A. acidoterrestris growth and oxygen availability to determine whether A. acidoterrestris can be controlled by restricting oxygen. Airtight containers were filled with YSG broth and apple juice at various oxygen concentrations. Positive correlation (R²=0.9329) was observed between A. acidoterrestris growth and oxygen availability in YSG broth, and a lower but nonetheless slight correlation (R²=0.5604) was observed for apple juice. These results indicate that decreased oxygen availability in a container could restrict growth. As results, the addition of reducing compounds along with airtight conditions may help prevent the deterioration of beverages caused by the proliferation of A. acidoterrestris.