Increase of phenol tolerance of Escherichia coli by alterations of the fatty acid composition of the membrane lipids.

In the presence of sublethal concentrations of phenol, 4-chlorophenol, and p-cresol in the growth medium, cells of Escherichia coli modified the fatty acid composition of their lipids. The results of these changes was an increase in the degree of saturation of lipids probably in order to compensate an increase of fluidity of the membrane induced by the phenols. Supplementation of the growth medium with saturated fatty acids could also enhance the degree of lipid saturation due to the incorporation of the acyl chains in the phospholipids. At the same time the growth of cells was less inhibited than in unsupplemented cells. The increase of tolerance of cells by manipulating the lipid composition indicates that the membrane structure plays a crucial role in the mode of action of phenols.