Survival and respiratory activity of genetically engineered Pseudomonas spp. exposed to antimicrobial agents in broth and soil.

The effectiveness of seven chemical disinfectants were tested against genetically engineered Pseudomonas spp. under optimal growth conditions. Each chemical was tested to determine how quickly 10(8) cells/ml Pseudomonas fluorescens C5t (containing Bacillus thuringiensis endotoxin gene) were killed in King's B broth at 30 degrees C. The minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBC) for calcium hypochlorite, benzalkonium chloride, Germiphene and Spectrum Clear Bath were 0.06% (w/v), 0.01% (w/v), 0.08% (v/v) and 0.044 (v/v), respectively. Virocidin X and CanLab Neutral did not kill P. fluorescens C5t at concentrations up to 20% (v/v). Baxter Bacdown was ineffective as a killing agent at concentrations up to 10% (v/v). These agents were also tested on P. aureofaciens RNL11 (lacZY), P. putida strains PaW8 and PaW340 (containing the plasmid pLV1013 encoding the xylE gene) and P. aeruginosa UG2L (lacZY and luxAB). All strains were killed by similar disinfectant concentrations with the exception of P. aeruginosa UG2L. The MBCs for this strain were double the MBCs for P. fluorescens C5t with all disinfectants used except for Spectrum Clear Bath, which was similar. Oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide evolution were used to assess the activity of P. fluorescens C5t inoculated in non-sterile soil in the presence of antimicrobial agents. Concentrations chosen were 0.1 and 1.0% (w/v) calcium hypochlorite, 0.01 and 0.1% (w/v) benzalkonium chloride, 0.1 and 1.0% (v/v) Germiphene and 0.1 and 1.0% (v/v) Spectrum Clear Bath. Over a 15-day period, the antimicrobial agents did not reduce respiratory activity of P. fluorescens C5t and indigenous soil micro-organisms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)