335. Mists containing hypochlorite as germicides in the destruction of air-borne bacteriophages attacking lactic streptococci

Abstract

1. The germicidal effect of spraying hypochlorite solutions of varying strength on three different phage races of streptococci from cheese starter has been described. It has been shown that fine mists containing 0·003–0·02 p.p.m. av./cl., usually ensure satisfactory destruction of air-borne phage.2. Below a relative humidity of about 50% hypochlorite solutions cause a slight or negligible destruction of bacteriophage particles.3. A gelatine medium has been found useful for collecting phage particles from the air, since it could be liquefied without danger of destruction of the phage after exposure and a quantitative estimation obtained of the phage particles collected.4. When the relative humidity was low the recovery of phage particles from the air was increased.5. Some experiments using mists of resorcinol and propylene glycol are also reported.