Sodium acetate as a preservative in protein hydrolysate solutions

The inhibitory effect of sodium acetate on microorganism growth in protein hydrolysate solutions was studied. Solutions of 5% protein hydrolysate and 5% dextrose in water (seven parts) and 50% dextose in water (three parts) containing 0, 30, 50 and 90 mEq/liter of sodium acetate were inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The number of colony-forming units in the solutions after inoculation was compared with that after incubation for 24 hours at 37 C. Sodium acetate inhibited growth of S aureus and E coli. Growth of P aeruginosa was inhibited in protein hydrolysate solutions with and without sodium acetate; inhibition could not be attributed solely to sodium acetate and may have been releated to pH of the solutions (4.7 to 5.4). Growth of C albicans was not inhibited by sodium acetate. Sodium acetate reduced growth of some common contaminants of protein hydrolysates. Sodium acetate is known to reduce metabolic acidosis, a reported complication of parenteral nutrient therapy and a possible predisposing factor in C albicans sepsis. Addition of sodium acetate to protein hydrolysate solutions should be considered seriously.