[Non-ionogenic detergents with antibacterial activity and their effect on bacterial membrane systems].

Certain new nonionogenic detergents which are hydroxy-polyethoxy-derivatives of dodecane show in vitro bacteriostatic action as related to gram-positive microorganisms. In this respect they are not inferior to chloride cetylpyridinium or sodium dodecyl sulphate. They are similar to chloride cetylpyridinium in their ability to disrupt the osmotic barrier of protoplasts and to inhibit NAD-H-oxidase of membrane fractions of Micrococcus lysodeikticus. Unlike chloride cetylpyridinium and sodium dodecyl sulphate, nonionogenic detergents do not inhibit membrane-bound ATPase of these bacteria.