THE USE OF EDTA TO ENHANCE THE EFFICACY OF NISIN TOWARDS GRAM-NEGATIVE BACTERIA

Research has indicated that exposure of Gram-negative bacteria to chelating agents sensitises them to nisin. Using Pseudomonas fluorescens as an example of a Gram-negative bacterium, this paper reports the bactericidal effect of combinations of nisin and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). In buffer solutions, significant bactericidal effect was demonstrated. The effect was shown to be more pronounced at temperatures above 20-degrees-C and was largely negated in the presence of various food substrates.