The Bactericidal Action of Synthetic Detergents

Abstract

1. The bactericidal action of a number of anionic and cationic synthetic detergents on four Gram-positive and three Gram-negative bacteria has been investigated. 2. Cationic detergents, as a group, were found to exhibit marked bactericidal effects on Gram-positive microorganisms and somewhat less pronounced action on Gram-negative organisms. 3. The anionic detergents were germicidal only against the Gram-positive organisms, and they were considerably less effective than the cationic compounds. Of the anionic detergents, the most active one was an alkyl sulfate derived from a branched-chain, secondary alcohol. 4. Correlations between bactericidal action and inhibition of bacterial metabolism, and also between bactericidal action and chemical structure of the detergents are discussed.

Alcohol ethoxylates mediate their bacteriostatic effect by altering the cell membrane of Escherichia coli NCTC 8196

“…In comparison, the anionic surfactant SDS did not appear to discriminate. Similar results regarding the differing susceptibilities of Grampositive and Gram-negative organisms to anionic surfactants have been reported previously [31,32]. Such differences are usually attributed to the differences in the cell wall.…”

Candida inhibitory effects of six commercial mouthwashes

“…It then disrupted the cell wall and increased permeability (Baker et al, 1941). Despite the well-established therapeutic effects of a CPC mouthwash, in this study we found that low concentration of CPC had low activity to inhibit Candida activities.…”

Quaternary Ammonium Salts and Their Antimicrobial Potential: Targets or Nonspecific Interactions?

“…This supports the hypothesis, previously raised by Baker et al, of cell membrane disorganization by detergent-like activity as the main mode of action of QACs. [35] More than 50 years later, Denyer also found that the main effects of QACs in bacteria are structural and functional changes in the cell wall, release of wall components and initiation of autolysis, inhibition of membrane ATPase, and electrostatic interactions with negatively charged polar head groups of phospholipids. [36,37] In another study by Locher et al, [38] the antimicrobial properties of nostocarbolines (see Figure 7 below) were investigated; these compounds were observed to exhibit activities only as dimers.…”