Bacteria membrane disruption

Cytoplasmic membrane disruption Polymyxins Also damage outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria... 

In this manner, antibiotic ionophores like nonactin transport ions across a cell membrane of bacteria. This disrupts the normal ionic balance in the cell, thus interfering with cell function and causing the bacteria to die. 

An apparently related effect due to membrane curvature is the phenomenon of immunosuppression induced by cationic surfactants. The cationic quaternary ammonium and pyridinium surfactants are widely used as sterilising (antibacterial) agents in an enormous variety of applications. Although the biochemical and genetic mechanism by which bacteria like streptococcus aureus develop immimity to these is not understood, it appears certain that the antiseptic effect is simply related to membrane disruption. At and above the critical micelle concentration ("cmc", discussed in Chapter 3),... 

Alakomi, H.L., Skytta, E., Saarela, M., Mattila-Sandholm, T., Latva-Kala, K., and Helander, I.M. 2000. Lactic acid permeabilizes gram-negative bacteria by disrupting the outer membrane. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 66 2001-2005. 

Essential oils and their constituents, such as terpenoids, carvacrol, thymol, occur widely in nature contributing to the characteristic plants flavours and aromas. Their mechanism of action against bacteria is not yet fully understood, but it is speculated to involve membrane disruption through lipophilic products (Griffin et al. 1999 Mendoza et al. 1997). This antibacterial action can result in membrane expansion, increase of membrane fluidity and permeability, disturbance of membrane embedded proteins, inhibition of respiration, and alteration of ion transport processes in... 

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