Rapid decrease of the adenosine triphosphate content in Lactobacillus malii and Leuconostoc mesenteroides after incubation with low concentrations of sulfite

Addition of 1 mM sulfite1 to a culture ofLactobacillus malii orLeuconostoc mesenteroides at pH 4.0 caused a rapid drop of the ATP content. At pH 6.0, the sulfite-stimulated depletion of the ATP level was somewhat diminished compared to the effect observed at pH 4.0. Incubation of the bacteria in the log phase with 2 mM sulfite at pH 5.0 prevented growth completely. Cells ofLeuconostoc mesenteroides in the log phase, incubated with 2 mM sulfite for 2 h at pH 5.0, showed a nearly normal growth after shifting to a sulfite-free medium. Cells ofLactobacillus malii, treated under the same conditions with sulfite, multiplied significantly slower in a fresh medium, as compared to untreated cells.