Use of hydrogen peroxide as a biocide: new consideration of its mechanisms of biocidal action

Linley, Ezra, Denyer, Stephen Paul, McDonnell, G., Simons, Claire ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9487-1100 and Maillard, Jean-Yves ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8617-9288 2012. Use of hydrogen peroxide as a biocide: new consideration of its mechanisms of biocidal action. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 67 (7) , pp. 1589-1596. 10.1093/jac/dks129

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Abstract

Hydrogen peroxide is extensively used as a biocide, particularly in applications where its decomposition into non-toxic by-products is important. Although increasing information on the biocidal efficacy of hydrogen peroxide is available, there is still little understanding of its biocidal mechanisms of action. This review aims to combine past and novel evidence of interactions between hydrogen peroxide and the microbial cell and its components, while reflecting on alternative applications that make use of gaseous hydrogen peroxide. It is currently believed that the Fenton reaction leading to the production of free hydroxyl radicals is the basis of hydrogen peroxide action and evidence exists for this reaction leading to oxidation of DNA, proteins and membrane lipids in vivo. Investigations of DNA oxidation suggest that the oxidizing radical is the ferryl radical formed from DNA-associated iron, not hydroxyl. Investigations of protein oxidation suggest that selective oxidation of certain proteins might occur, and that vapour-phase hydrogen peroxide is a more potent oxidizer of protein than liquidphase hydrogen peroxide. Few studies have investigated membrane damage by hydrogen peroxide, though it is suggested that this is important for the biocidal mechanism. No studies have investigated damage to microbial cell components under conditions commonly used for sterilization. Despite extensive studies of hydrogen peroxide toxicity, the mechanism of its action as a biocide requires further investigation.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Pharmacy
Subjects:	R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology
Uncontrolled Keywords:	oxidizing agents, disinfection, toxicity, mechanism of action
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
ISSN:	0305-7453
Last Modified:	21 Oct 2022 10:43
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/41151

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