Influence of bile salts on beta-glucuronidase activity of intestinal bacteria.

The beta-glucuronidase activity of intact cells of Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens was increased in the presence of bile salts. In contrast, bile salts had inhibitory effects on the activity of beta-glucuronidase extracted from the lysed cells. These results suggest that the permeability of the bacterial cells is increased by the presence of bile salts, and that bile salts may significantly enhance bacterial beta-glucuronidase activity in the intestinal tract.