ACTION OF FORMALDEHYDE ON MICROORGANISMS I

Abstract

Neely, W. Brock (The Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich.). Action of formaldehyde on microorganisms. I. Correlation of activity with formaldehyde metabolism. J. Bacteriol. 85: 1028–1031. 1963.—The action of formaldehyde in concentrations sublethal for the culture appeared to be at least twofold. The first phase caused a drop in viability, followed by a second phase where bacteriostatic conditions existed. During both these intervals, formaldehyde was being metabolized. As soon as the organism had lowered the formaldehyde concentration to a critical level, the normal growth cycle was resumed, with a resultant increase in cell population.