Anti bacterial agents are composed of a diverse group and many such
agents have entered common usage through experience with little
information on their mechanism of action. Study of the mechanism of action
of an anti microbial agent provides an insight into resistance mechanisms,
toxicological problems and the design and development of new agents or
combinations.
The primary target of most antimicrobial agents (excluding antibiotics) is the
cytoplasmic membrane and associated enzymes. Membrane-active agents
can cause a change in the fluidity and/or permeability of the cytoplasmic
membrane. Such changes can be determined by the leakage of cellular
constituents such as potassium ions, nucleotides and their constituents and
amino acids. The effect of an anti bacterial agent on the cytoplasmic
membrane can also be determined by elucidating the effect of the
antibacterial agent on the activity of membrane-bound enzymes and
substrate uptake.
Date of Award | Dec 1997 |
---|
Original language | English |
---|
Awarding Institution | |
---|
The Mechanisms of Antibacterial Action of Some Nonionic Surfactants
Moore, S. L. (Author). Dec 1997
Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis