A transport-dependent energy burden imposed by growth of Enterobacter cloacae in the presence of 10% sodium dodecyl sulfate.

Growth of Enterobacter cloacae in a glucose asparagine salts medium in the presence of 10% sodium dodecyl sulfate entailed an energy burden in the form of a 20% decreased cell yield, a 30% faster rate of glucose utilization, and a 70% increased rate of oxygen consumption. Similar detergent-induced decreases in cell yield were observed with 10 other sugars and sugar alcohols. Only glycerol supported equivalent cell growth in the presence and absence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. A model is presented which interprets these observations in terms of an altered membrane potential which makes active transport energetically less efficient.