Iron complexation as a tool to direct mixed clostridia—lactobacilli fermentations

Iron complexation was investigated as a possible tool to give lactobacilli a competitive advantage over clostridia. The iron complexing substance tested, i.e. 2,2'-dipyridyl, was not toxic itself for clostridia, but its addition to a mixed culture of lactobacilli and clostridia resulted in a strong ecological advantage of the lactobacilli.