Aspects of the action of glutaraldehyde on Escherichia coli.

Summary. Glutaraldehyde did not cause lysis of spheroplasts of Escherichia coli or of protoplasts of Bacillus megaterium. Its bactericidal activity against E. coli was potentiated in the presence of sodium bicarbonate or alkaline phosphate buffer. Over long periods, the uptake of aldehyde by E. coli increased when sodium bicarbonate was present. Glutaraldehyde with, but not without, sodium bicarbonate produced with E. coli cells a red colouration which was associated with the cell wall.