Inhibition of light emission from the bioluminescent bacterium Vibrio fischeri after exposure to triclosan and related hygiene care products

The affect of the anti-microbial agent triclosan (alternative names Microba n(R) and Irgasan DP300) on the light emission by the bioluminescent bacteri um Vibrio fischeri was determined. Triclosan at concentrations greater than 0.2% (w/v) caused cell lysis and immediate (<5s) loss of light emission. E xposure to triclosan at lower concentrations caused a decrease in light out put over time. The rate of the decrease in light output followed a cuboid r elationship, of which the initial rate (first 60 s) of light loss was propo rtional to the concentration of triclosan. The effect on light output by tw o commercially available hygiene products containing triclosan also caused a similar response in light loss. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd .