It has been established that the primary mechanism of microbial
inactivation by organic acids involves entrance of un-dissociated
form of organic acid (HA) across the cell membrane and dissociation
into (Hþ) and (A) ions. Hþ ion is responsible for shifting the
nearly neutral pH of the cytoplasm,
which is normal media for
optimum performance of cell organelles and cell enzymes, to acidic
side. Increasing the acidity of the cytoplasm leads to cell damage
and modification or denaturation of enzymes and structural proteins
as well as hindering DNA/RNA synthesis.