Structural and functional analysis of the effect of cationic surfactants on Escherichia cells and spheroplasts
Cherniavskaia, M.A.; Pavlova, I.B.
Zhurnal Mikrobiologii Epidemiologii i Immunobiologii 2: 62-66
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0372-9311 PMID: 6220541 Document Number: 221147
The character of the growth of Escherichia culture after treatment with alkyl dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride (a cation surface-active substance) has been studied. The action of the preparation at bacteriostatic concentrations is reversible and manifested only by the increased duration of the lag phase. The complete restoration of the processes ensuring the growth and mitosis of the cells usually occurs. The preparation causes disturbances in the permeability barrier of the cell membranes, appearing immediately on contact with cation surface-active substances. This compound affects the cytoplasmic membranes of Escherichia cells at extremely low concentrations (0.0001-0.0002%); as a result, the leakage of low-molecular substances from the cells occurs. These disturbances in permeability are not accompanied by the disappearance of nucleic acids from the cells. The preparation used at bactericidal and subbactericidal concentrations denatures high-molecular cell components to a variable degree. The study of the ultrastructure of cells and spheroblasts shows that alkyl dimethyl-benzyl ammonium chloride destroys the structure of the outer and cytoplasmic membranes, as well as the ribosomal apparatus of Escherichia cells.