An Examination of the Minimal Water Activity for <i>Staphylococcus</i> aureus ATCC 6538 P Growth in Laboratory Media Adjusted with Less Conventional Solutes

Abstract

ABSTRACT Present work investigated whether or not Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 P growth may occur below a w 0.86 in laboratory media adjusted by addition of less conventional a w controlling solutes. Solutes examined included, 1‐proline, 1‐lysine, β‐alanine, sorbitol, KC1, sodium lactate and polyethylene glycols. No growth was observed in any case at or slightly below a w 0.86; thus Scott's (1953) general conclusion on the lowest limit for S. aureus growth remains unchallenged. Results obtained also showed that polyethylene glycols (M.W. 200 and 400) have a significant inhibitory effect on S. aureus ATCC 6538 P growth independent of a w lowering.