Significance and Impact of the Study: Citric acid (CA) is an antimicrobial molecule with three ionization states that exist in an equilibrium directly governed by pH. Traditionally, non-ionized CA was considered more antimicrobial, presumably due to the combined effects of the molecule and the acidic environment in which it occurs. By decoupling the antimicrobial impact of pH and CA on Gram-negative bacteria, it is demonstrated, for the first time, that the fully ionized CA species alone was the most effective at destroying the bacteria. The results from SEM imaging and surface-charge measurements provide further insight into the antimicrobial mode of action of CA against bacteria.

sequestration potential under existing agroforestry systems for any district or region.

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