Nitrite inhibition of Clostridium botulinum: electron spin resonance detection of iron-nitric oxide complexes.
Vegetative cells of Clostridium botulinum were shown to contain iron-sulfur proteins that react with added nitrite to form iron-nitric oxide complexes, with resultant destruction of the iron-sulfur cluster. Inactivation of iron-sulfur enzymes (especially ferredoxin) by binding of nitric oxide would almost certainly inhibit growth, and thus is probably the mechanism of botulinal inhibition by nitrite in foods.
D003014:Clostridium botulinum / Q000187:drug effects*; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; D007501:Iron; D007506:Iron-Sulfur Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D008667:Metalloproteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D009573:Nitrites / Q000494:pharmacology*
D007506:Iron-Sulfur Proteins; D008667:Metalloproteins; D009573:Nitrites; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D007501:Iron