The lysis of gram-negative Alcaligenes eutrophus and Alcaligenes latus by palmitoyl carnitine

Summary The use of synthetic palmitoyl carnitine, naturally occurring in cellular membranes, was investigated for the lysis of Alcaligenes eutrophus and Alcaligenes latus. The optimal concentration of the lysin was 1.0 mM and the lysis was almost completed in 60 minutes. Alcaligenes latus was more susceptible to the lytic activity of palmitoyl carnitine than Alcaligenes eutrophus. Palmitoyl carnitine was found to be a more effective lysin than lysozyme.