| Abstract: | The propagation of the virulent phage M 1 of the obligate methylotrophic bacteria strain GB 4 is inhibited by n-alkanes. The addition of hydrocarbons (7.5–22.5%) to a suspension of free phages or to a phage-host-mixture prevents the propagation of the phages, but does not influence the growth rate of the host bacteria. In a laboratory fermentor a simulated strong infection (multiplicity = 0.1) of the strain GB 4 with its phage M 1 could be suppressed by the application of 20% of a technical hydrocarbon mixture (Parex I). The inhibitory effect of the hydrocarbons can be traced back to inspecific hydrocarbon-protein-interactions at the surface of the phage and the host cells and therewith to an influencing of the adsorption. |
