Action of Synthetic Detergents on the Metabolism of Bacteria

Abstract

The bactericidal and bacteriostatic actions of soaps have been recognized for many years. Detailed studies by Eggerth (1) on the germicidal action of soaps have shown the importance of such factors as length of hydrocarbon chain, chemical configuration, effect of hydrogen ion concentration, effect of serum, etc. Avery (2) demonstrated the selective germicidal action of soap on microorganisms, and recommended for the isolation of influenza bacilli a medium containing sodium oleate. He noted that "this medium prevents the growth of certain Gram-positive organisms, principally pneumococcus and streptococcus, while the growth of B. infuenzae is enhanced by the presence of this substance." The marked selectivity of soaps on bacteria has been studied further by Bayliss and Halvorson (3) and Bayliss (4). The work of Walker (5) indicates that although pneumococci and streptococci are unusually susceptible to certain soaps, staphylococci are very resistant. Because of the widespread occurrence of the staphylococcus on body surfaces, soaps have only a limited value as germicidal agents. Generally, they are employed when detergent, rather than germicidal action, is desired.In addition to their selectivity, which is a disadvantage unless one wishes to attack or differentiate specific microorganisms, soaps have certain other undesirable characteristics which limit their usefulness. Ordinary soaps have too alkaline a reaction for application on sensitive tissues. Moreover, soap is precipitated by hard water.Because of the tremendous demands of many industries for new and improved detergents, interface modifiers, wetting and emulsifying agents, and related compounds, and because of the competition for patents, at least a thousand individually different compounds with such properties have been synthesized in recent years.' * A preliminary account of these experiments was given by Miller and Baker in Science, 1940, 91, 624. ' Data concerning synthetic detergents and related compounds are scattered throughout the trade journals and patent literature. A discussion of the chemistry and applica-

Factors Influencing Penetration of Synthetic Detergents and Certain other Compounds Into Dental Plaque Material

“…One of these was an anionic type of detergent marketed under the trade name of Tergitol-7. This branchedchain soldium alkyl sulfate had been found to be very active against grampositive organisms (11). It likewise inhibited from 90 to 100 per cent the breakdown of glucose to lactic acid by homogenized suspensions of plaque ma- terial.…”

Disaggregation of Bacterial Cell Walls by Anionic Detergents

“…Although Gram-negative bacteria are generally resistant to the bactericidal action of certain classes of surface-active anionic compounds (Baker, Harrison & Miller, 1941 a), there have been reports of killing by high concentrations (002%) of SDS (e.g. Lominski & Lendnun, 1942).…”

The Action of Phenol and 2-Phenoxyethanol on the Oxidation of Various Substances by Escherichia coli and by a Disrupted Cell Preparation of the Organism

“…It might therefore be expected that CTAB at low concentrations would cause the acceleration of oxygen uptake with the same group of substrates as phenol. Such respiratory stimulation was not detected in the experiments reported by Hugo & Street (1952) nor in the work of Baker, Harrison & Miller (1940) who examined a range of quarternary ammonium compounds. The large size of the CTAB cation and its net positive charge are both properties which distinguish it from phenol and 2-phenoxyethanol and the strong attraction of the cation for the negatively charged bacterial surface, although initiating outward diffusion of cellular components, may also retard the entry of substrates into the bacterial cell or their metabolism at the cell surface, thereby accounting for the inhibiting effect independent of substrate.…”