Inhibition by Phospholipids of the Action of Synthetic Detergents on Bacteria

1. Lecithin, cephalin, and sphingomyelin prevent the inhibition of bacterial metabolism which is caused by synthetic anionic and cationic detergents. The phospholipids must be added either before or simultaneously with the detergent. Addition after the detergent is without effect. Bacteria still exhibit this phenomenon after they have been exposed to the phospholipid and thoroughly washed. 2. A similar action of the phospholipids has been demonstrated towards the bactericidal compounds isolated by Dubos and Hoogerheide from soil bacteria. There is very little effect with bactericidal mercury compounds. 3. The effect of lecithin against the bactericidal action of synthetic detergents was also determined. It was found that germicidal quantities of the detergents were not effective in the presence of the phospholipids.