The effect of quicklime (calcium oxide) as an inhibitor of Burkholderia pseudomallei.

Measurement of in vitro activity of quicklime against Burkholderia pseudomallei revealed that quicklime at concentrations of 10% or more was bactericidal for up to 35 d. The effect of quicklime as an inhibitor of B. pseudomallei in soil from a rice field was studied in a laboratory setting. The soil, collected from a rice field in north-eastern Thailand, was mixed with B. pseudomallei. In experiment 1, quicklime was mixed with the soil in different amounts. In experiment 2, quicklime was spread over the soil surface. In experiment 3, quicklime solution was poured onto the soil. It was found that the pH of the soil in experiment 1 was much higher than that in experiments 2 and 3. Only quicklime mixed with soil at a concentration of 40% or more (weight/weight) was effective in inhibiting the growth of B. pseudomallei for up to six weeks.