Silver-ion-mediated reactive oxygen species generation affecting bactericidal activity

Hee Jin Park, Jee Yeon Kim, Jaeeun Kim, Joon Hee Lee, Ji Sook Hahn, Man Bock Gu, Jeyong Yoon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

444 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Silver ions have been widely used as disinfectants that inhibit bacterial growth by inhibiting the essential enzymatic functions of the microorganism via interaction with the thiol-group of l-cysteine. However, silver-ion-mediated perturbation of the bacterial respiratory chain has raised the possibility of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. We used bacterial reporter strains specifically responding to superoxide radicals and found that silver-ion-mediated ROS-generation affected bactericidal activity. Almost half the log reduction in Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus populations (model strains for gram negative and positive bacteria, respectively) caused by silver-ion disinfection was attributed to ROS-mediated bactericidal activity. The major form of ROS generated was the superoxide-radical; H2O2 was not induced. Furthermore, silver ions strongly enhanced paraquat-induced oxidative stress, indicating close correlation and synergism between the conventional and ROS-mediated silver toxicity. Our results suggest that further studies in silver-based disinfection systems should consider the oxygen concentration and ROS reaction.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1027-1032
Number of pages6
JournalWater Research
Volume43
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009 Mar

Keywords

  • Bactericidal
  • E. coli
  • ROS (reactive oxygen species)
  • S. aureus
  • Silver
  • Superoxide

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecological Modelling
  • Water Science and Technology
  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Pollution

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