[Study of the membranes of pigment-free mutant of Staphylococcus aureus]

The membranes from pigmented strain of Staphyloccus aureus 209-P and its apigment mutant B-6 were isolated. The infrared spectra, the cytochrome content, and the activities of the dehydrogenases and oxidases of the membranes were studied. The apigment mutant membranes differed from those of the pigmented strain in all parameters studied. It is concluded that the carotenoid pigments affect the chemical composition and functional activity of the Staphylococcus membranes.