STERILIZATION ACTION OF CHLORINE AND IODINE ON BACTERIA AND VIRUSES IN WATER SYSTEMS
Abstract
The bactericidal action of iodine is complete within one minute of contact at 37 C. The rate of inactivation is not materially reduced by high concentrations of iodide ion. The destruction of bacteria continues until all iodine is consumed or, in case of residual iodine, until all bacteria are destroyed. The minimum number of iodine molecules required to destroy one bacterium varies with the species. For H. influenzae it was calculated to be 15000 molecules of iodine per cell. When bacteria are treated with iodine, the inorganic phosphate up-take and oxygen consumption by the cells immediately ceases. Bacterial cells reacted with radioiodine show very little in the cell fraction, indicating that most likely an oxidation of -SH groups rather than a substitution into tyrosyl moieties occurs. The inactivation of poliovirus and f2 RNA bacteria virus by iodine is considerably inhibited by low levels of iodide ion concentration. At pH 6.0 or less iodine inactivation of f2 phage was incomplete. The rate of inactivation by iodine in the presence of iodide ion for the f2 virus and its host E. coli is different. The difference most likely is due to the nature of the iodine sensitive proteins involved. The virucidal properties of iodine in waters of low pH and high organic content could be inadequate regardless of the free iodine concentration when virus or viruses involved require iodination of tyrosine for inactivation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0476804
Entities
People
- Shigeko Nomura
- Yu-chih Hsu
Organizations
- Johns Hopkins University