Role of lipid in the protection of Staphylococcus aureus against trichlorophenol in mixed culture.

The sensitivities of Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella schottmuelleri, Aerobacter aerogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus to 2, 4, 6-trichlorophenol in sodium borate were studied. It was demonstrated that these gram-negative organisms can protect S. aureus from the effect of the phenol in mixed culture. There is a direct correlation between this protective effect and the quantity of total lipid extracted from the gram-negative organisms. The distribution coefficient between trichlorophenol and the lipid of the cells is related to the sensitivity and capacity to protect S. aureus in mixed culture. Hydrogen bonding between the cell's lipid and the phenolic compound is discussed as a possible mechanism which determines a cell's response to the inhibitor.