Inactivation of Escherichia coli by O- water.
OBJECTIVE
To clarify the effects of O(-) (atomic oxygen radical anion) water on the viability and morphological alteration of Escherichia coli.


RESULTS
O(-) water (OW) was prepared by bubbling of O(-)/argon (Ar) flux into deionized water. O(-) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) in the resultant OW were analysed by electron paramagnetic resonance and ultraviolet (UV) absorption spectroscopy. The population of E. coli treated by a typical OW of pH 4.30 +/- 0.20 [(2.5 +/- 0.8) x 10(-3) mmol l(-1) O(-); 0.5 +/- 0.2 mmol l(-1) H(2)O(2)) was reduced by more than 3 log CFU ml(-1) within 60 min at 30 degrees C. Through scanning electron microscopy observation, the OW-treated cells appeared dramatically collapsed. The release of nucleic acid induced by OW was identified by UV absorption spectroscopy.


CONCLUSIONS
O(-) water can result in inactivation of E. coli, nucleic acid release and cellular damage under the controlled laboratory conditions in excess of 15-30 min. Reactive oxygen species may play an important role in the inactivation process.


CONCLUSIONS
This study first revealed that OW could inactivate E. coli, which may be potentially useful in developing a novel approach for the microbial decontamination of food, water or heat-sensitive material.
Wang
L
L
Department of Chemical Physics, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China.
Gong
L
L
Zhao
E
E
Yu
Z
Z
Torimoto
Y
Y
Sadakata
M
M
Li
Q X
QX
D000838:Anions / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004572:Electrolysis; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000838:Anions; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D014867:Water; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide