The effect of substrate on inhibition of Corynebacterium lepus by isonicotinic acid hydrazide (Isoniazid).

Isonicotinic acid hydrazide (INH) inhibits the growth of Corynebacterium lepus on hexadecane but has no effect on its growth on fructose. INH also inhibits the production of the mycolic acid containing lipopeptide bioemulsifier normally produced by C. lepus in response to an insoluble substate. The primary effect of INH appears to be inhibition of mycolic acid synthesis, which limits the growth of C. lepus on hexadecane by reducing the concentration of bioemulsifier.