Bactericidal effects of chlorine dioxide by respiratory inhibition

Abstract:

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． ［Conclusion］ 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．