Factors Influencing the Antibacterial Action of Spermine and Spermidine on Staphylococcus aureus

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Abstract
Summary: Spermine and spermidine inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The activity of spermine was decreased by sera of different species; sheep and bovine serum showed most effect. This antagonistic effect was destroyed by heating the sera at 100° for 30 min. Sodium and potassium also decreased the antibacterial effect of spermine and spermidine. Spermine exerted a bactericidal effect on staphylococci in broth at 37° and at 6°, but not on washed organisms suspended in buffer at 6°. The dependence of the bactericidal effect of the bases seems to depend on some metabolic activity of the cocci.