Antibacterial Effect of Glucose Oxidase on Growth of Pseudomonas fragi as Related to pH

The effect of glucose oxidase (GOX) catalyzed reaction with glucose on Pseudomonas fragi was analyzed in nutrient broth and fish extract media. Growth of P. fiugi in nutrient broth was clearly suppressed by 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mg/mL glucose when combined with 0.5–2.0 U/mL GOX. The same GOX/glucose combinations inhibited P. frasi growth in fish extract media. Viable cell numbers in fish media showed clear growth inhibition with combinations of l.0–2.0 U/mL GOX and 8.0–16.0 mg/mL glucose. Higher GOX and glucose rapidly produced 2.0–2.5 unit decreases in pH, but produced enough gluconic acid to precipitate fish proteins. Use of 0.5 U/mL GOX in fish extract media resulted in slow, sustained activity with potential for inhibition of microbial growth in foods without excessive acidity.