Fatty acid esters against infections in fermentations

Abstract

The invention relates to the use of an antibacterial agent for suppressing the growth of gram-positive contaminating bacteria in culturing gram-negative bacteria or moulds or yeasts. The antibacterial agent is selected from: i) a lactylate in accordance with the general formula (R-(O-CH(CH3)-CO)a O)b M (Formula 1); a glycerol ester in accordance with the general formula CH2OR1-CHOR2-CH2OR3 (Formula 2); and, mixtures thereof. In said general formulae: R represents a C4-C18 acyl group, the acyl group having an alkyl or alkenyl chain which may be branched or unbranched; R1, R2 and R3 are each independently selected from H or a C4-C18 acyl group, the acyl group having an alkyl or alkenyl chain which may be branched or unbranched, with the proviso that at least one of R1, R2 or R3 is H and at least one of R1, R2, or R3 is an acyl group; M represents a proton (H+) or a counter-cation chosen from the group Li, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe(II), Cu, Mn, Ag, ammonium or substituted ammonium having one or more (C1-4)alkyl optionally substituted with one or more hydroxy; a is an integer of from 1 to 3; and, b is 1 or 2 equaling the valency of M.