THE EFFECTS OF SULFATHIAZOLE AND OF PROPYL CARBAMATE ON THE RATE OF OXYGEN CONSUMPTION AND GROWTH IN ESCHERICHIA COLI

Abstract

1. The rates of growth and of oxygen consumption by cells of E. coli have been measured under identical conditions, and the effects of sulfathiazole (ST) and of n-propyl carbamate (PC) on these two processes have been compared. 2. The rate of growth was measured by (a) the increase in the viable cell count, (b) the increase in the optical density of the culture, (c) the increase in the rate of oxygen consumption, and (d) the decrease in the ammonia of the medium. The results as indicated by these several measures were identical under the conditions of these experiments. 3. Concentrations of ST or of PC which are just sufficient to stop growth completely, lower the rate of oxygen consumption per unit of bacterial protoplasm to a value approximately 50 per cent of that seen in the absence of the inhibitor. 4. It is shown that the rate of oxygen consumption in cells from old cultures is less affected by ST than is the rate of oxygen consumption by cells from young cultures. It is probable that the rate of oxygen consumption by "old" cells is lower than that of "young" cells. 5. The effects of ST and PC on both the rate of oxygen consumption and the rate of growth are very similar, indicating in a general way, that the mechanism of the actions of these two inhibitors is similar. Furthermore, since both of them produce appreciable inhibition of the rate of oxygen consumption while they are inhibiting growth, the possibility that the effect on oxygen consumption is the immediate cause of the effect on growth must be entertained.