KINETICS OF GROWTH OF LACTOBACILLUS-PLANTARUM WITH GLUCOSE, ORGANIC-ACIDS (MALATE, CITRATE, ACETATE) AND ETHANOL

L. plantarum was grown on glucose and organic acids, i.e. malate, citr ate, and acetate, frequently jointly encountered in wine and cider fer mentation. The effect on fermentation patterns of different mixtures o f acids as well as ethanol was studied. Specific growth rates and appa rent biomass yields on glucose increased when adding citrate or malate . Acetate and ethanol were not consummed by the lactobacillus. The pre sence of acetate, but not ethanol, slightly decreased citrate consumpt ion rates, but did not significantly influence glucose or malate ferme ntations.