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Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, July 2003, p. 2323-2326, Vol. 47, No. 7
0066-4804/03/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/AAC.47.7.2323-2326.2003
Copyright © 2003, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Decolorization of Malachite Green and Crystal Violet by Waterborne Pathogenic Mycobacteria

Jefferson J. Jones1 and Joseph O. Falkinham III2*

Department of Biology, Virginia Union University, Richmond, Virginia 23220,1 Fralin Biotechnology Center, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 240612

Received 26 December 2002/ Returned for modification 24 March 2003/ Accepted 10 April 2003

Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium intracellulare, Mycobacterium scrofulaceum, Mycobacterium marinum, and Mycobacterium chelonae tolerate high concentrations of the dyes malachite green and crystal violet. Cells of strains of those species decolorized (reduced) both malachite green and crystal violet. Because decolorized malachite green lacked antimicrobial activity, the resistance of these mycobacteria could be due, in part, to their ability to decolorize the dyes. Small amounts of malachite green and its reduced, decolorized product were detected in the lipid fraction of M. avium strain A5 cells grown in the presence of malachite green, suggesting that a minor component of resistance could be due to sequestering the dyes in the extensive mycobacterial cell surface lipid. The membrane fraction of M. avium strain A5 had at least a fivefold-higher specific decolorization rate than did the crude extract, suggesting that the decolorization activity is membrane associated. The malachite green-decolorizing activity of the membrane fraction of M. avium strain A5 was abolished by either boiling or proteinase exposure, suggesting that the decolorizing activity was due to a protein. Decolorization activity of membrane fractions was stimulated by ferrous ion and inhibited by dinitrophenol and metyrapone.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Fralin Biotechnology Center, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0346. Phone: (540) 231-5931. Fax: (540) 231-7126. E-mail: jofiii{at}vt.edu.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, July 2003, p. 2323-2326, Vol. 47, No. 7
0066-4804/03/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/AAC.47.7.2323-2326.2003
Copyright © 2003, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



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