A Note on the Reaction of Mercuric Chloride with Bacterial -Sh Groups

Abstract

A linear relation is obtained when the logarithm of the number of organisms (E. coli) in inocula is plotted against the logarithm of the quantity of mercuric chloride theoretically necessary to produce bacteriostasis, expressed as a percentage of that practically required. No direct relation exists between the number of organisms and the amount of mercuric chloride necessary to produce bacteriostasis. Mercuric chloride is non-specific in its reaction with bacterial sulphydryl groups. Cells of E. coli contain about 108-SH groups per cell.