Effect of 3-phenylpropan-1-ol, 2-phenylethanol, and benzyl alcohol on Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

3-Phenylpropan-1-ol, 2-phenylethanol, and benzyl alcohol were investigated for their inhibitory action against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. 3-Phenylpropan-1-ol was the most effective and benzyl alcohol was the least effective as shown by: (a) growth rate studies using subinhibitory concentrations of the alcohols, (b) determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations, and (c) determination of sterilization times. The three compounds enhance the bactericidal action of benzalkonium chloride against P. aeruginosa in the same ranking order. It is suggested that 3-phenylpropan-1-ol may be a suitable preservative for oral suspensions and mixtures.