This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Williams, D E Articles by Worley, S D Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Williams, D E Articles by Worley, S D Agricola Articles by Williams, D E Articles by Worley, S D

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Appl Environ Microbiol. 1991 April; 57(4): 1121-1127

Effect of organic N-halamines on selected membrane functions in intact Staphylococcus aureus cells.

Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences and Mathematics, Auburn University, Alabama 36849.

ABSTRACT

Two N-halamine compounds, 3-chloro-4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazolidinone and 1,3-dichloro-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-imidazolidinone, were compared with free chlorine as to their effects on selected membrane functions of intact Staphylococcus aureus cells. Free chlorine was found to cause a loss of permeability control, as measured by the efflux of potassium from the cells and a dramatic increase in hydrogen ion permeability, and to affect cell respiration in a nonreversible fashion, as measured by oxygen uptake. The two N-halamines were found to have very little effect on permeability to either potassium or hydrogen ions but were both found to dramatically inhibit respiration in a reversible manner. It is proposed that the first step in the disinfection process by these N-halamines is an inhibition of respiratory enzymes that, if not reversed, ultimately leads to a loss of cell viability.

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Carson, C. F., Mee, B. J., Riley, T. V. (2002). Mechanism of Action of Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil on Staphylococcus aureus Determined by Time-Kill, Lysis, Leakage, and Salt Tolerance Assays and Electron Microscopy. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 46: 1914-1920 [Abstract] [Full Text]