The inhibition of the development of the spores of a spoilage mould by chemical preservatives

Abstract

Abstract The swelling characteristics of developing spores from a variety of spoilage moulds have been examined using the Coulter Counter. P. spinulosum spores began swelling earliest and had the most rapid swelling rate. For these reasons these spores were the most suitable for rapid electronic sizing and were used to assess preservative efficiency. The preservatives examined were propylhydroxybenzoate, Phenonip (a mixture of esters of hydroxybenzoic acid and β-phenoxyethylalcohol, Nipa Laboratories Ltd.) and benzoic acid. The first two preservatives reduce the rate of swelling of germinating spores at its onset while benzoic acid increases the time before swelling begins. Suppression of spore swelling provides early indication of preservative potential and the type of swelling curve produced indicates the mechanism of fungistasis.