Abstract
Disappearance of nitrofuran derivatives in pH 7.0 culture media and in the media inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus was investigated at 37°. From the media inoculated with the bacteria, rapid disappearance which followed a biexponential profile was observed in contrast to the monoexponential one observed with the media excluding the bacteria. Apparent rate of disappearance was dependent on the bacterial contents, concentration of the drugs. and the compositions of the media. Generally, vinyl derivatives were more susceptible to the process than azomethine ones. Equilibrium dialysis behavior, extent of the binding of the drugs to the crude membrane fraction of the bacteria, and the effect of medium compositions on the disappearance as well as the binding tendency of the drugs together with the inhibitory effect of p-chloromercurybenzoate suggest the possible involvement of a specialized transport process in the disappearance of nitrofurans from the culture media inoculated with the bacteria. The implications of these results from in vitro biological activity standpoint are discussed.
