Effect of Metal Cations and pH on the Antibacterial Activity and Uptake of Long Chain Fatty Acids

S ummary . The bactericidal activity of long chain saturated fatty acids was antagonized by alkaline earth metals. The activity of linoleic acid was less effectively antagonized but was more sensitive to reversal by ferric and stannous ions. With increasing pH value the bactericidal activity of lauric acid decreased but that of the longer chain saturated acids increased. Both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria reversibly adsorbed fatty acids. Uptake increased with decreasing pH value and increasing chain length. Although adsorbed to a lesser extent, the intrinsic activity of linoleic acid was greater than lauric acid. The uptake appeared to be non-specific and governed by the physicochemical properties of both the acids and the bacterial cell surfaces. Sensitivity to the fatty acids increased with decreasing pH value. Protoplasts of Bacillus megaterium adsorbed fatty acids to a greater extent than whole cells. Resistance of the Gram negative Pseudomonas phaseolicola was not due to non-adsorption of the fatty acids.