Effect on Oxidation-Reduction Potential on Microbes

The oxidation-reduction potential is an indication of the oxidation and reducing power of the substrate.

The oxidation-reduction potential is normally expressed as Eh and measured in millivolt units, is defined as the tendency to yield electrons (become oxidized) or to capture electrons (become reduced). The value of Eh at which microorganisms grow determines whether they are aerobic or anaerobic.

The greater the degree in which a substance is oxidized, the more highly positive will be its Eh value, and the greater the degree to which a substance is reduced, the more highly negative will be its Eh value.

In general, aerobes require a substrate having a positive Eh, means that aerobic microorganisms grow rapidly under a high oxidation-reduction potential.

For anaerobes it requires a substrate having a negative Eh.

The optimum Eh values for the growth of microbes vary with species.

Yeats and molds require higher oxidation-reduction potential Eh values than most bacteria, generally 200 to 400 millivolt.
Effect on Oxidation-Reduction Potential on Microbes