Survival of the acid-adapted Bacillus cereus in acidic environments

In this study, the acid tolerance of Bacillus cereus 1-4-1 after adaptation at pH 5.5 for 1, 2 and 4 h was first determined. The survival of acid-adapted and non-adapted cells of B. cereus in phosphate buffer solution (PBS pH 4.0) containing various organic acids such as acetic, propionic, citric, lactic or tartaric acid as well as in a commercial acidic beverage of mixed fruits and vegetables (pH 3.7) was then examined. Results revealed that acid adaptation time influenced the increased tolerance of B. cereus in PBS (pH 4.0). The 2 h-adapted cells exhibited the highest acid tolerance in PBS. The presence of chloramphenicol during the acid adaptation reduced the extent of increased acid tolerance. Acid adaptation was also found to enhance the tolerance of the test organism in the presence of the various organic acids tested. While the extent of increased acid tolerance varied with the organic acid examined. Acid-adapted B. cereus cells exhibited the largest extent of increased tolerance, showing an increased survival of ca. 1000 folds, in the propionic acid-containing PBS. Additionally, a higher survival percentage was noted with the acid-adapted than the non-adapted cells of B. cereus in the acidic beverage stored at 4 or 25 °C.