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The Journal of Experimental Medicine logoLink to The Journal of Experimental Medicine
. 1929 Aug 31;50(3):299–313. doi: 10.1084/jem.50.3.299

THE GERMICIDAL ACTION OF HYDROXY SOAPS

Arnold H Eggerth 1
PMCID: PMC2131627  PMID: 19869624

Abstract

1. The α-hydroxy soaps exhibit a high germicidal action toward certain organisms. As with other soaps, the germicidal action increases with molecular weight to a maximum, then diminishes. The pH effects the germicidal action as it does other soaps. 2. Certain α-hydroxy soaps give two distinct germicidal zones with Staphylococcus aureus. 3. The effect of the hydroxyl group in saturated soaps is to increase selective germicidal action; the effect of the hydroxyl group in an unsaturated soap is to diminish it. 4. The soaps offer a means of separating mixtures of organisms by selective germicidal action.

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Selected References

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  1. Eggerth A. H. THE EFFECT OF SERUM UPON THE GERMICIDAL ACTION OF SOAPS. J Exp Med. 1927 Sep 30;46(4):671–688. doi: 10.1084/jem.46.4.671. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

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