Anti-bacterial Action of Irradiated Glucose

Abstract
It is shown that [gamma]-irradiated glucose has a strong, anti -bacterial action on Pseudomonas sp. 128. Irradiation of the water solution of glucose is more effective than irradiation of modifications of crystalline glucose. Part of the antibacterial effect remains after storage of the irradiated solution for 6 days at 20[degree]C. After treatment with irradiated glucose the surviving bacteria are found to be more resistant to a repeated treatment. The bactericidal action of irradiated glucose increases with decreasing pH of the test solution, and was abolished by added catalase. The possible nature of the anti-bacterial factor(s) in irradiated glucose is discussed.