Effects of Organochlorine Insecticides on Bacterial Growth, Respiration and Viability

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Abstract
SUMMARY The growth of a range of Gram-positive bacteria was inhibited by organo- chlorine insecticides while that of Gram-negative organisms was unaffected. Grow- ing cultures of Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 9372) treated with 20 p.p.m. technical chlordane ceased to grow and showed a decline in viable count and respiration rate, both being eliminated after about 3 h. A delayed release of incorporated ~-(U-l*C)leucine and L-malate dehydrogenase occurred concomitant with a fall of It is suggested that these phenomena are a result of disruption of membrane- associated metabolism, including electron transport and cell wall biosynthesis, which leads to cell lysis. No effect on these parameters occurred with growing cultures of Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739). The chlordane sensitivity of succinate oxidation by sphaeroplasts of E. coli indicates that the intact cell wall prevents pene- tration of pesticide to sensitive sites within the walls of Gram-negative bacteria.

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