Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 June 2009
1. Colon bacilli grown in milk for from 3 to 16 hours partially inhibit the subsequent formation of acid by lactic streptococci.
2. The inhibition is not entirely accounted for by the increased hydrogenion concentration nor by the lactic acid produced by the colon bacilli. Other substances which have a retarding influence on the streptococci are evidently formed in milk cultures of colon bacilli. The action of these substances is not significantly modified by heating at 75°C. for one hour.
3. The possible practical significance of the phenomenon is discussed.