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

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 liquid-phase 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.

Synergetic inactivation of <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i> and <i>Streptococcus mutans</i>in a TiO2/H2O2/UV system

“…16 Photocatalysis on TiO 2 surfaces and its bactericidal effect has been researched extensively in the last two decades for specific biomedical purposes 5 as well as for other disinfection applications. 35 Low concentration H 2 O 2 is already widely used as a disinfectant 36 and photolysis of H 2 O 2 has been evaluated for degradation of pharmaceuticals 23 and oral bacteria. 25,37 However, most research performed on the combined/synergetic effects of TiO 2 photocatalysis and H 2 O 2 photolysis have focused on the degradation of organic contaminants in wastewater.…”

Allogeneic Bone Grafting Materials – Update of the Current Scientific Status

“…This process step includes alternating rinsing with ethanol and diethyl ether as well as oxidative treatment with hydrogen peroxide. ethanol and die- [17][18][19]. In this way, the risks of infections and also immunological reactions are completely eliminated.…”

“…1). Then, the final sterilization of the bone material is processed by means of low-dose gamma irradiation in order to additionally exclude possible contamination by microorganisms 5 [17][18][19][20].…”

Decontamination of the Hospital Environment: New Technologies for Infection Control

“…H 2 O 2 has a broad spectrum of activity against clinically-relevant bacteria, bacterial endospores and viruses [15][16][17][18][19], and once decomposed, does not pose any toxic threat to the environment by forming non-toxic by-products of water and oxygen [20]. The mechanism of antimicrobial activity is thought to involve oxidative damage to DNA, proteins and membrane lipids by free hydroxyl and ferryl radicals [15,20]. There are two distinct types of H 2 O 2 delivery system: aerosolized systems make use of dry mist hydrogen peroxide and are known as aerosolized hydrogen peroxide (aHP) or dry mist hydrogen peroxide (DMHP), and, those which produce H 2 O 2 vapour are usually referred to as vaporised hydrogen peroxide (VHP) or hydrogen peroxide vapour (HPV) [21].…”