title: [Bactericidal effects of chlorine dioxide by respiratory inhibition].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) is a highly effective disinfectant for food and potable water treatment. However, knowledge on its action mechanism remains unexplored. The present study aims to determine the role of respiratory inhibition in the bactericidal effects of ClO2.
  
  
  METHODS
  Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultra structural alteration of the mitochondrion. Fluorescence-based flow cytometry analysis was employed to determine the disruption of mitochondrion membrane potential. Respiratory inhibition was detected by measuring the oxygen consumption. The results obtained were compared with those of plate counting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No visible physiological alteration in the shapes and structures of the mitochondria was found. The rate of collapse in mitochondrial membrane potential increased with the death rate, but the respiratory inhibition rates were always significantly lower than the death rates. The death rates detected by the aerobic and anaerobic methods did not differ significantly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ClO2-induced damages to the mitochondria were positive correlated with the death rates, but respiratory inhibition was not the primary target site for cell killing.
authors: College of Life Science and Technology, Yulin Normal University, Yulin 537000, China. weimingken@sina.com
authors: Mingken
authors: M
authors: Wei
authors: Changxiu
authors: C
authors: Li
authors: Jieling
authors: J
authors: Lai
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects; D017606:Chlorine Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects; D010087:Oxides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D017606:Chlorine Compounds; D004202:Disinfectants; D010087:Oxides; C025109:chlorine dioxide