Open AccessGeneration of Formaldehyde from Methenamine: Effect of pH and Concentration, and Antibacterial Effect
Author(s) -
Daniel M. Musher,
Donald P. Griffith
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.07
H-Index - 259
eISSN - 1070-6283
pISSN - 0066-4804
DOI - 10.1128/aac.6.6.708
Subject(s) - formaldehyde , urine , chemistry , dose , antibacterial agent , urinary system , antibacterial activity , chromatography , nuclear chemistry , antibiotics , pharmacology , medicine , bacteria , biochemistry , biology , genetics
Using an in vitro system that simulates the dynamics of the urinary tract, we have shown that concentrations of formaldehyde ≥ 25 μg/ml can be achieved in urine containing ≥ 0.6 mg of methenamine per ml at pH ≤ 5.7 or ≥ 1 mg/ml at pH ≤ 5.85. Exposure to this concentration of formaldehyde for 2 h produced a measurable antibacterial effect. These studies suggest that an effective bacteriostatic level of formaldehyde is likely to be achieved with currently used dosages of methenamine when the urine pH is less than 5.7 to 5.85.