The effect of cis-vaccenic acid on respiration and growth of Bacillus subtilis

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Abstract
Cis-Vaccenic acid, in (1-8 x 10-5M) concns. produces a concomitant inhibition of growth and respiration of B. subtilis. The respiratory inhibition is transient, its degree and duration being dependent on the ratio of acid to cells. The organisms, following O2 uptake-inhibition, respire at a considerably increased rate, and grow, in presence of yeast extract at a normal or slightly increased rate. Growth and respiration are unaffected by a sec. addition of acid. The supernatant fluid from treated recovered cells causes an increased respiration of fresh cells. Physico-chemical surface phenomena alone cannot account for all the observed facts, which can be explained more readily by penetration of acid into the cell, inhibition of the oxidative system inside the cell, ability of the organisms to metabolize penetrated acid, and development in treated cells of a mechanism resembling that in acquired drug resistance. trans-Vaccenic acid has about half the activity of the cis-form.