At a pH of 3.72, the growth of certain bacteria is inhibited due to the acidic environment. Here’s a breakdown of how each of the listed organisms typically responds to low pH levels like 3.72:
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Salmonella: Generally, Salmonella does not thrive in highly acidic environments. It typically requires a more neutral pH for optimal growth.
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Listeria monocytogenes: Listeria is more resistant to acidic conditions compared to many other bacteria, but extremely low pH, like 3.72, may still inhibit its growth. However, it can survive in such conditions and might grow very slowly.
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Escherichia coli: E. coli typically does not grow well at low pH levels. Most strains require a more neutral pH for optimal growth.
Based on this understanding, the correct statement about what happens to these organisms at a pH of 3.72 might be:
- Listeria monocytogenes grows, while Salmonella and Escherichia coli do not grow.
This is because Listeria can tolerate lower pH levels to some extent, while the other two prefer a more neutral environment to proliferate.
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