3. Inhibition of microbial growth

The growth kinetics of micro-organisms are determined by the physico-chemical characteristics of the environment in which they are found. Knowledge of the modes and conditions of action of these environmental factors is essential to control germ growth and to be able to inhibit it, to predict the consequences of their development and, if necessary, to interpret observations made on a spoiled product.

Physico-chemical conditions affect the speed of enzymatic reactions, with repercussions on cell metabolism and multiplication. This results in changes to the duration of the latent phase, the maximum specific speed during the exponential phase, or the duration of growth and maximum cell concentration obtained during the stationary phase. Microbial development is affected first and foremost by the composition of the environment, i.e. the nature and concentration of energy,...