BAT AGAR (ALICYCLOBACILLUS AGAR)

Alicyclobacillus species are gram positive aerobic thermophillic, and spore forming acidophilic bacteria. Alicyclobacillus are sometimes called Acidophilic Thermophillic Bacteria (ATB). These spore forming organisms are able to survive the relatively mild pasteurization temperatures used for fruit juices and drinks and some are able to grow out and cause spoilage of the beverage. Even very low numbers of Alicyclobacillus are able to cause spoilage and produce objectionable flavours and odours specially affecting the quality of fruit juice and in the beverages, damaging the brand. These bacteria are able to grow at pH values as low as 2.5 and also at elevated temperatures as high as 60?C.
BAT (Bacillus AcidoTerrestris) Agar has a pH of 4.0 ? 0.2 which supports growth of Alicyclobacillus species and inhibits most of the microbial flora. Rest of the microbial flora is inhibited at 60?C, which is the optimum growth temperature for Alicyclobacillus species.

for the isolation of Alicyclobacillus species in fruit juices