Physicochemical basis for the inhibitory effects of organic and inorganic salts on the growth of Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum and Pectobacterium atrosepticum.

Twenty-one salts were tested for their effects on the growth of Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum and Pectobacterium atrosepticum. In liquid medium, 11 salts (0.2 M) exhibited strong inhibition of bacterial growth. The inhibitory action of salts relates to the water-ionizing capacity and the lipophilicity of their constituent ions.