Studies on the Effect of Synthetic Surface-active Materials on Bacterial Growth. II

Abstract

The effect of 3 synthetic surface active compounds on the growth of Mycobacterium smegmatis was determined. Two of these compounds possessed long aliphatic chains, the 3d was a cyclic compound. Results obtained indicate that those surface active properties associated with possession of a cyclic structure are more effective in inhibiting growth of capsulated organisms than those associated with possession of long aliphatic chains.