Kinetic analysis of the action of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide on the membranes of the capsular variant of Escherichia coli CA189 recorded by ethidium bromide fluorescence

A mathematical model, describing the kinetics of ethidium bromide probe fluorescence in the suspension of E. coli CA 189 capsular antigen after introduction of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (a detergent), has been developed. Experimental testing of this mathematical model has confirmed that it describes the kinetics of the probe fluorescence augmentation sufficiently accurately. The new model permits the quantitative characterization of the rate of surfactant diffusion through the bacterial capsule.