The influence of organic solvents on the bactericidal action of the phenols. Part II

Abstract

AbstractA further study has been made of the influence of organic solvents on the bactericidal power of the phenols, alcohols, and other germicides. The solvents used have been acetone, ethylene glycol and terr.‐butyl alcohol. Although of practical interest, experiments showed that ethylene glycol monobutyl ether and propylene oxide were too strongly germicidal for employment as solvents, being active against B. lactis aerogetics in 10% concentration, and against Staphylococcus in 3% solution. The bactericidal action of phenol and benzyl alcohol was increased by aq. acetone to a greater extent than that of p‐cresol, thymol, and chlorphenols; and aliphatic compounds, e.g., tert.‐buryl alcohol and ethylene glycol monobutyl ether were increased in efficiency to much greater degree than aromatic substances. Aq. tert.‐butyl alcohol similarly increased the germicidal power of aliphatic substances to a greater extent than that of aromatic compounds. The bactericidal action of the phenols was diminished by aq. glycol, but the efficacy of aliphatic substances was again increased even by this solvent. Notwithstanding these selective effects, the order of magnitude of germicidal power in the case of aliphatic and aromatic compounds is independent of the solvent employed.