The effects of fatty acid derivatives on the release of extracellular enzymes (amylolytic, lipolytic, and proteolytic) from bacteria and on bacterial growth were examinedInhibition of enzyme activity was apparently independent of inhibition of microbial growth, i.e., levels of Lauricidin which inhibited enzyme activity were lower than those which inhibited growth.Release of extracellular enzymes varied in its susceptibility to the effects of Lauricidin.Media composition may be an important factor in determining the min. inhibitory concentrations for fatty acid derivativesPreliminary data indicated significant differences in the fatty acid content of control and treated cells.Changes in the permeability and/or composition of cell walls and membranes may occur as a result of bacterial growth in the presence of fatty acid derivatives