Inhibitory activity of tetracycline against ofloxacin- and fleroxacin-induced bleaching of green and etiolated Euglena gracilis was examined. Tetracycline hydrochloride in concentrations of 83-2079 microM in the light partially inhibited the bleaching activity of 83 microM ofloxacin and of 162 microM fleroxacin. In the dark, the TC inhibition of the fluoroquinolones-induced bleaching activity was most obvious, the white colony counts were all decreased. The total inhibition of bleaching was observed in 43 microM ofloxacin and 81 microM fleroxacin both in light and darkness. Cell growth was not significantly influenced by ofloxacin, fleroxacin and tetracycline in the light or darkness. Cell growth was not significantly influenced by ofloxacin, fleroxacin and tetracycline in the light or darkness. Inhibition of ofloxacin-induced Euglena bleaching by tetracycline was more effective in etiolated cells. TC at 0-416 microM did not influence the growth of ofloxacin (2.15 microM)-induced Salmonella typhimurium revertants.