Superoxide involvement in the bactericidal effects of negative air ions on Staphylococcus albus

Abstract

The physical nature of small air ions is well established and it is recognized that they can produce a variety of biological effects. However, in only a few instances have any underlying biochemical changes been detected. Theoretically, one can consider the hydrated superoxide radical anion (O2) (H2O)n with n congruent to 4-8 as a likely candidate for a biologically active species of negative air ion. The chemical and biological reactivity of superoxide is high and includes a leading role in bacterial killing caused by radiation, in which superoxide dismutase (SOD), an enzyme that catalyses the reaction: O2 + O2 +2H leads to H2O2 +O2 protected markedly. Other studies have also demonstrated the bactericidal effect of O2 (refs 9-11). Inasmuch as the bactericidal action of small negative air ions has been repeatedly confirmed, we decided to test for the involvement of O2 in this phenomenon by evaluating the protective effect of SOD. Our results show strong O2 involvement in negative air ion bacterial kill.

Evaporation rate enhancement of water with air ions from a corona discharge

“…This approach could be particularly relevant when water is chosen as the experimental material, as in the present study. We showed superoxide involvement in bactericidal effects of negative air ions (Kellogg et al 1979) whose role in enhancing the evaporation rate of water was not considered. Forced evaporation of water by air ions from small organisms could be an important factor in assessing biological effects.…”

Exogenous gaseous superoxide potentiates the antinociceptive effect of opioid analgesic agents

“…The overwhelming majority of authors regard the electrical charge of negative air ions as the basis of their biological activity [2]. Only three reports connect the biological effects of negative air ions with the free radical activity of superoxide [3,20,21]. In the present paper, we have shown that free radical properties of gaseous superoxide may play a favourable role in the potentiation of antinociception.…”

Corona discharge influences ozone concentrations near rats

“…The major species generated by corona discharge in the presence of water are ozone, hydroxyl radical, and atomic hydrogen [Goheen et al, 1984;Sharma et al, 1997;Shin et al, 2000]. Other species produced by corona discharge include O 2 À , O, CO 3 À , and NO x [Shahin, 1969;Kellogg et al, 1974;Goheen et al, 1984;Bissell et al, 1985;Brisset et al, 1990;Martinez and Brandvold, 1996]. In addition, Martinez and Brandvold observed elevated levels of N 2 O along with ozone during corona discharge.…”