Antimicrobial effect of statins: organic solvents might falsify microbiological testing results

Abstract

Previously published results about the antimicrobial effect of statins relied on the use of pure methanol as solvent. Present data indicate that the observed antimicrobial effect must be attributed, at least to a very large extent, to the solvent. Toxicity of solvents may influence microbiological evaluation of poorly water-soluble substances. pH adjustment to enhance solubility and thus reduce the need for using organic solvent might sometimes overcome this problem.