On the Relationship between the Effect of Phenol on the Oxygen Uptake and the Viability of Penicillium Notatum Spores

Abstract

0·05 to 0·2 per cent phenol in Horowitz medium progressively reduces the oxygen uptake of Penicillium notatum spores. 0·08 per cent causes fungistasis and fungicidal action is evident at 0·15 per cent and higher concentrations. Exogenous respiration is less sensitive to phenol than spore germination. Measurement of oxygen uptake can not be used for quantitative evaluation of fungicidal action. The concentration exponent for the effect of phenol on oxygen uptake is −1·5.