In this study, it was aimed to investigate the antimicrobial activity and inhibition percentage of citric acid against E. coli, S. aureus and C. albicans as a sanitizer agent. It was researched that persistent/tolerant levels of microorganisms in the citric acid presence. Spectrophotometric Broth Microdilution Method and Surface Disinfection Test were used for antimicrobial activity and Inhibition percentage, respectively. Modified TDtest was used for persistent/tolerant levels of microorganisms. While MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) of citric acid on E. coli and S. aureus were 0.06 g/mL, it was 0.03 g/mL for C. albicans. It was applied the TDtest with citric acid solution and discriminate by tolerance level of E. coli than the other microorganisms at the end of the 48-h incubation. In a final test which was investigated the survival of E. coli, S. aureus and C. albicans exposure to citric acid by Surface Disinfection Test, there was no statistically significant difference between bacteria and yeast in terms of the number of inhibited cells. Although citric acid was rather active against all three microorganisms, the strongest and permanent antimicrobial effect was on C. albicans. Finally, citric acid should be used especially against anti-Candida albicans in permanent hygiene practices.
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