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Heterogeneous Fenton's-like catalyst potentiation of hydrogen peroxide disinfection: an investigation into mechanisms of action.

Sewell, Samantha L.; Owen, Lucy; Laird, Katie; Huddersman, Katherine D.; Walsh, Susannah E.

Authors

Samantha L. Sewell

Lucy Owen

Katie Laird

Katherine D. Huddersman



Abstract

This study aimed to establish the mechanisms of action (MOA) of a novel surface-functionalised polyacrylonitrile (PAN) catalyst, which was previously shown to have potent antimicrobial activity in conjunction with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Bactericidal activity was determined using a disinfectant suspension test. The MOA was investigated by measuring loss of 260nm absorbing material, membrane potential and permeability assays, analysis of intra- and extracellular ATP and pH, and tolerance to sodium chloride and bile salts. The catalyst lowered sub-lethal concentrations of H2O2 from 0.2% to 0.09%. H2O2 ± 3g PAN catalyst significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced sodium chloride and bile salt tolerance, suggesting the occurance of sublethal cell membrane damage. The catalyst significantly increased (p ≤ 0.05) N-Phenyl-l-napthylamine uptake (1.51-fold) and leakage of nucleic acids, demonstrating increased membrane permeability. A significant (p ≤ 0.05) loss of membrane potential (0.015 a.u.), coupled with pertubation of intracellular pH homeostasis and depletion of intracellular ATP, suggests potentiation of H2O2-mediated cell membrane damage. This is the first study to investigate the catalyst's antimicrobial mechanism of action, with the cytoplasmic membrane being a target for cellular injury. Understanding the MOA by which the catalyst potentiates H2O2 could lead to optimisation of concentrations and contact times needed for disinfection in a wide range of settings.

Citation

SEWELL, S.L., OWEN, L., LAIRD, K., HUDDERSMAN, K.D. and WALSH, S.E. 2023. Heterogeneous Fenton's-like catalyst potentiation of hydrogen peroxide disinfection: an investigation into mechanisms of action. Journal of applied microbiology [online], 134(3), pages 1-9. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/jambio/lxad017

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Feb 15, 2023
Online Publication Date Feb 16, 2023
Publication Date Mar 31, 2023
Deposit Date Dec 19, 2022
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Journal of applied microbiology
Print ISSN 1364-5072
Electronic ISSN 1365-2672
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 134
Issue 3
Pages 1-9
DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/jambio/lxad017
Keywords Mechanism of action; Hydrogen peroxide; Fenton; Disinfection; Polyacrylonitrile
Public URL https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1840447
Additional Information This article has been published with separate supporting information. This supporting information has been incorporated into a single file on this repository and can be found at the end of the file associated with this output.

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