Abstract: The composition comprises certain 5-alkylsalicylanilides and more particularly comprises the compounds encompassed by the following generic formula: ##STR1## Where Z is a substituted phenyl ring of from 6 to 30 carbon atoms including substituents, and R is a substituted or unsubstituted n-alkyl or phenyl group of from 4 to 30 carbon atoms including substituents.The preferred compositions of the invention have a partition coefficient greater than 4 and the substituted moieties in the phenyl ring of the Z group have a combined overall electron withdrawing effect on the phenyl ring of the Z group.The method of the invention comprises contacting a microorganism affected by the above composition with a sufficient concentration of the above composition for a sufficient time to inhibit the growth of the microorganism.

Abstract: The composition comprises certain 5-acylsalicylanilides and more particularly comprises the compounds encompassed by the following generic formula: ##STR1## Where Z is a substituted phenyl ring of from 6 to 30 carbon atoms including substituents, R is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or phenyl group of from 2 to 30 carbon atoms including substituents and M is a radical selected from the group consisting of --C.dbd.N,--F,--NO.sub.2,--H, lower alkyl or lower haloalkyl.The preferred compositions of the invention have a partition coefficient greater than 4 and the substituted moieties in the phenyl ring of the Z group have a combined overall electron withdrawing effect on the phenyl ring of the Z group.The method of the invention comprises contacting the microorganism with a sufficient concentration of the above composition for a sufficient time to inhibit the growth of the microorganism.