Question

Pea contains only 0.25% phenylethyl alcohol because high concentrations inhibit both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms. describe some possible reasons why this occurs.

Answer 1

If the alcohol concentration in PEA agar was increased, it would inhibit both Gram - and Gram + bacteria by breaking down membrane absorbency barrier, tolerating influx of substances that are generally blocked and leakage of cellular potassium. High alcohol concentrations would lead to disruption or halting of DNA synthesis in both Gram + and Gram - bacteria