Inhibition of Bacillus subtilis respiration on glucose, formate and succinate by certain anesthetic agents

The non-proliferating or “resting” cell technic and the Werburg respirometer have been employed to study the respiration of Bacillus subtilis Koch-Novy with glucose, formate and succinate as substrates.

The enzymatic oxidation of these substrates in the presence of cyanide, urethane, chloral hydrate, chloroform and other have been investigated and the effects of these agents over a range of concentrations have been noted. Graphs have been prepared for comparison of the oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide liberation values for Bacillus subtilis Koch-Novy in the presence and absence of the various inhibitory agents.

Differences between the oxidation of succinate by bacteria and by mammalian brain tissue have been pointed out. Information concerning the oxidations of brain tissue was obtained from the previous work of Quastel et al and Grieg (11, 23, 24).

Gaseous exchange which suggest some sort of metabolic action by Bacillus subtilis Koch-Novy on chloretone has been noted.

The author has expressed an opinion regarding the advisability of employing members of the genus Bacillus for studies concerning the mode of section of anesthetic agents.