Sphagnan - a pectin-like polymer isolated from<i>Sphagnum</i>moss can inhibit the growth of some typical food spoilage and food poisoning bacteria by lowering the pH

Abstract

It has previously been suggested that sphagnan is an antimicrobial polysaccharide in the leaves of Sphagnum moss with a broad range of potential practical applications. Our results now show that sphagnan in its acid form can indeed inhibit bacterial growth, but only of acid-sensitive species. These findings represent increased knowledge towards our understanding on how sphagnan or Sphagnum moss might be used in practical applications.