Inhibition of Germination of Bacillus stearothermophilus Spores by Sucrose Monoalkylates and Other Surfactants

Abstract

In order to get additional information on antimicrobial action of sucrose monoalkylates, which are approved as food additives, we studied the effects of the esters on growth of heat-resistant Bacillus stearothermophilus spores, by comparison with those of a variety of surfactants differing in the chemical structure. Sucrose monoalkylates and several other surfactants inhibited the growth from spores, by preventing spore germination. The inhibitory effectiveness of surfactants is closely related to hydrophobicity of surfactants rather than their intrinsic chemical characteristics. Surfactants acted on spores in a bacteriostatic manner.