Stearic acid enhances membrane fluidization and peptidoglycan stiffness to promote the stability of Gram-positive bacteria
Srividhya Parthasarathi, S.G. Joshi, J. K. Basu, Rakesh Vaiwala, K. G. Ayappa, Morris Waskar, Srikala Kumaran, Anindya Dasgupta
This study shows stearic acid increases membrane fluidity and peptidoglycan stiffness in Gram-positive bacteria, enhancing their viability.
bioRxiv · Mar 10, 2026 · PreprintBiophysics