“
Killing of Bacillus Spores by Aqueous Dissolved Oxygen, Ascorbic Acid, and Copper Ions”
Appl Environ Microbiol. 2003 April; 69(4): 2245–2252.
J. B. Cross,1 R. P. Currier,1* D. J. Torraco,1 L. A. Vanderberg,1 G. L. Wagner,2 and P. D. Gladen2
Chemistry Division,1 Biosciences Division,
Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 875452
*Corresponding author. Mailing address: Chemistry Division,
Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545. Phone: (505) 665-3601. Fax: (505) 667-0440. E-mail:
[email protected]
Received August 16, 2002; Accepted December 26, 2002.
“ABSTRACT: An approach to decontamination of biological endospores is discussed. Specifically, the performance of an aqueous modified Fenton reagent is examined. A modified Fenton reagent formulation of cupric chloride, ascorbic acid, and sodium chloride is shown to be an effective sporicide under aerobic conditions. The traditional Fenton reaction involves the conversion of hydrogen peroxide to hydroxyl
radical by aqueous ionic catalysts such as the transition metal ions. Our modified Fenton reaction involves the conversion of aqueous dissolved oxygen to hydrogen peroxide by an ionic catalyst (Cu2+) and then subsequent conversion to hydroxyl radicals. Results are given for the modified Fenton reagent deactivating spores of Bacillus globigii. (
NB – as a surrogate for anthrax). A biocidal mechanism is proposed that is consistent with our experimental results and independently derived information found in the literature. This mechanism requires diffusion of relatively benign species into the interior of the spore, where dissolved O2 is then converted through a series of reactions which ultimately produce hydroxyl radicals that perform the killing action.”