The effect of 2,4-dichlorophenol on growth and plasmidic beta-lactamase activity in Escherichia coli.
The toxic effects of 2,4-dichlorophenol on two strains of Escherichia coli harbouring plasmids with beta-lactamase activity were studied. The toxicant had a significant effect on growth at concentrations of 12 micrograms ml-1 for the JA 221 (pBR322) strain, as well as at 24 micrograms ml-1 for the J5-3 (RP4) strain. beta-Lactamase production was affected at concentrations of 96 micrograms ml-1 in both strains. However, beta-lactamase production does not seem to constitute a reliable toxicity test in view of its variability and relatively low sensitivity.
Espigares
M
M
Departmento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Universidad de Granada, Spain.
Mariscal
A
A
D002733:Chlorophenols / Q000633:toxicity*; D003470:Culture Media; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development; D010957:Plasmids; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000378:metabolism*
D002733:Chlorophenols; D003470:Culture Media; D001618:beta-Lactamases; C004762:2,4-dichlorophenol