Effect of ozone on survival and permeability of Escherichia coli

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1963 · J. Bacteriol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5553602

Scott, D B.M.; Lesher, E C

Escherichia coli cultures were treated with various concentrations of ozone in saline solution. Approximately 2 x 10/sup 7/ molecules of ozone per bacterium killed 50% of the cells. Ozone caused leakage of cell content into the medium, and lysis of some cells. Low concentrations of ozone did not react with the glutathione within the cells, although reaction with glutathione in solution was immediate and stoichiometric. The effect on nucleic acid within the cells was to change the solubility and to cause the release of ultraviolet-absorbing material into the medium. Ozone attacked the ring structure of the base or the carbohydrate only when the substance was in the medium. Nucleic acids released into the medium were reabsorbed by cells which were not lysed. Viable cells resumed growth immediately, and grew at rates determined by the nutrients either added to the medium or which resulted from leakage and lysis of nonviable cells. It is postulated that the primary attack of ozone was on the cell wall or membrane of the bacteria, probably by reaction with the double bonds of lipids, and that leakage or lysis of the cells depended on the extent of that reaction. 19 references, 9 figures, 2 tables.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
• OSTI ID: 5553602
• Conference Information: Journal Name: J. Bacteriol.; (United States) Journal Volume: 85
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560302* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Microorganisms-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BACTERIA
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CELL CONSTITUENTS
CELL MEMBRANES
CELL WALL
DAMAGE
DRUGS
ESCHERICHIA COLI
GLUTATHIONE
LIPIDS
LYSIS
MEMBRANES
MICROORGANISMS
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OZONE
PEPTIDES
POLYPEPTIDES
PROTEINS
RADIOPROTECTIVE SUBSTANCES