Comparison of the effects of three fluorocarbons on certain bacteria

Three fluorocarbons were tested to determine their effect on bacterial growth. Freon 11 and 21 in various concentrations had an inhibitory effect on selected test organisms, but Freon 22 had no effect. Both aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms, as well as gram-positive and gram-negative species, were included among the bacteria tested. Freon 11 and 21 caused a similar response with Freon 11 being more inhibitory to some species and Freon 21 more inhibitory to others. Inhibition was dependent on the concentration of the halocarbon and resulted in decreased respiration rates at all concentrations tested. Results reported here indicate that the action of the fluorocarbons tested is bactericidal rather than bacteriostatic, Serratia marcescens and Clostridium botulinum were the species most sensitive to the halocarbons tested.