Partition in an aqueous, two-polymer phase system containing dextran and polyethylene glycol was employed to investigate the physicochemical changes inflicted by the presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies on the cell surface of a smooth strain of Salmonella typhimurium. Adding increasing amounts of anti-Salmonella IgG to the bacteria decreased the affinity for the polyethylene glycol-rich top phase, with a concomitant increase in in vivo clearance and in vitro phagocytosis by rabbit polymorphonuclear cells. Similarly, S --> R mutations in the same S. typhimurium strain decrease the affinity for the top phase and increase the liability to phagocytosis. The limiting antibody concentration to demonstrate increase of in vitro phagocytosis was approximately the same as that to produce a significant effect in the phase system, whereas lower concentrations were needed to increase the in vivo clearance. The results show that adsorption of IgG antibodies to bacteria brings about physicochemical changes of the cell surface which seem to promote the phagocytosis by polymorphonuclear cells and uptake in the reticuloendothelial system.