KINETIC STUDIES OF THE DECONTAMINATION OF YEAST SLURRIES WITH PHOSPHORIC ACID AND ACIDIFIED AMMONIUM PERSULPHATE AND A METHOD FOR THE DETECTION OF SURVIVING BACTERIA INVOLVING SOLID MEDIUM REPAIR IN THE PRESENCE OF CATALASE

Destruction of Obesumbacterium proteus in pitching yeast slurries is more efficiently accomplished using an acidified ammonium persulphate wash (0·75% w/v; pH 2·8) than by using phosphoric acid at pH 2·1. The effectiveness of both methods against the lactic acid bacteria, acetic acid bacteria and Enterobacter agglomerans is similar. Material cost savings of up to 60% can be achieved through the use of the acidified ammonium persulphatewash. Economy in the use of materials and optimum process efficiency is achieved by determination of the quantity of acid required to adjust the pH of the yeast slurry before washing. Bacteria surviving the yeast wash can be detected reliably using a plating technique involving solid medium repair in the presence of catalase. A buffered diluent must be used to prepare the inoculum.