The growth of different species of the genera Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Pediococcus and Leuconostoc was followed in media in which all available iron and copper was chelated by 2,2
-dipyridyl. None of the species tested was inhibited in its growth. Iron and copper complexation, by means of chemical scavengers, could be a useful method to direct non-axenic lactic fermentations.