The Effects of Added Peptone on The Bactericidal Action of Solutions of Formaldehyde

Abstract

Abstract When formaldehyde (HCHO) is used as a disinfectant in the presence of peptone the peptone and the bacteria compete for the HCHO1. An equilibrium distribution of the HCHO is reached only slowly. The state of combination of HCHO in the presence of 1 per cent peptone varies with its previous relationship to the peptone. If, in all states of combination with peptone, HCHO were fully available to act as a disinfectant peptone would neither retard nor reduce such action. Estimates of the proportions of HCHO in three different degrees of binding with peptone having been made we now enquired in which of these the HCHO remained bactericidal.