THE EFFECT OF SODIUM PARA-AM1NO SALICYLATE AS A GROWTH FACTOR FOR LACTOBACILLI

¹ Veterans Administration Hospital, Brecksville, Ohio

In pure culture the addition of 2.4 and 6 mg. per milliliter of sodium para-amino salicylate to a dextrose or synthetic broth (without para-amino benzoic acid) gave no stimulation to the growth of Lactobacillus casei, while at higher concentrations inhibition was visible. With similar concentrations neither stimulation nor inhibition was demonstrable with the Oxford cup method. A concentration of .125 mg. per milliliter did not alter the rate of glycolysis as measured by the Warburg respirometer.

The availability of para-amino benzoic acid in saliva might minimize the possibility of utilization of sodium para-amino salicylate by mouth organisms.

These results would indicate that sodium para-amino salicylate is not an important factor in the stimulation of growth of this organism or in the rate of glycolysis believed associated with dental caries.