The Interaction of Phenolic Compounds With Bacteria

The uptake of hexylresorcinol by suspensions of E. coli and the associated release of cellular constituents were examined using heat-killed and butanol-treated organisms. The effect of the addition of cetomacrogol to the system was evaluated in terms of the reduction in the extent of drug binding and the prevention of the hexylresorcinol-dependent light-scattering changes of E. coli suspensions. Sodium chloride potentiation of the latter effect and of the release of cell exudate from the bacteria on treatment with hexylresorcinol was also investigated.