ABSTRACT
The influence of cationic, anionic and non-ionic synthetic surfactants on some biological properties of different representatives of the following species Corynebacterium glutamicum, Corynebacterium ammoniagenes, Corynebacterium vitaeruminis, Corynebacterium variabile and strain Corynebacterium sp. (Brevibacterium stationis) UKM As-719 has been investigated. It has been shown that the action of surfactants is accompanied by the change of cell morphology and loss of ability for Gram-staining, as well as by significant changes of antigenic properties and antibiotic-sensitivity of selected strains of corynebacteria. Nevertheless, no relations were established between the class of surfactants and changes in biological properties of the investigated strains. There was also no correlation between Gram-staining ability after the action of surfactants and change of corynebacteria antigenisity, as well as their antibiotic sensitivity.