Role of chlorine dioxide in combating the microbes Chlorine dioxide has been used as a disinfectant since its discovery way back in 1814. It is a yellow-green colored disinfectant gas with unique features to combat the microbes.
The oxidant property of chlorine dioxide makes it destructive for many microbes, including bacteria and fungi. It oxidizes the microbes during a chemical reaction, removing an electron out of them.
According to research and study in PMC, Chlorine dioxide was able to limit almost 98.2% of bacteria and fungi, including E. coli, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, listeria, salmonella, Candida albicans, etc.
How this action takes place
By drawing an electron out of microbes., it weakens the molecular bonds between them, which destroys the cell. This is how proteins’ structure is changed, causing the enzymes’ inhibition, leading to the microbes’ expiration.
According to research in Plos One, when the CLO2 was permeated through the microbes’ protein membranes, it killed them in a variable time according to their different sizes.
The specialty of CL02 is it invades many proteins at once, which resists them from mutation and resistance against it.
While invading the fungal spores, it devastates and weakens the cell membrane and cell of them, which causes the outflow of fluid and cell substances, leading to the death of the cell.
Utilization of bactericidal properties of chlorine dioxide in surgeries:
The antimicrobial properties of chlorine dioxide have already been utilized in dentistry and surgery for sterilization of equipment and surfaces that can not be cleaned by autoclave. The secret lies in its inability to react with water. It remains as an intact molecule in the water, all the while killing the microbes.
The research in AKJournals states that pure CLO2 can be used in dental and surgical practice because of its biofilm dissolving effect. The High level of toxicity towards microbes is also one of the primary reasons we use it in surgeries.
According to the Journal Acta Microbiologica et Immunologica Hungarica, chlorine dioxide is a potential disinfectant for oral infestation microbes and exhibits a powerful biofilm dissolving effect compared to the current antiseptics, consequently, high purity chlorine dioxide may be an innovative defensive and remedial adjuvant for in-home oral care and dental surgery practice.
Is chlorine dioxide better than chlorine?
Before the discovery of the bactericidal properties of chlorine dioxide, chlorine was used. But many lab tests have proven that chlorine dioxide is far more potent than the chlorine itself. And one of the significant disadvantages of chlorine is its unwanted reaction with water. Since there were no such issues with chlorine dioxide, it was rendered more effective and useful than chlorine.
According to research, chlorine dioxide not only kills bacteria by combating against their first line of defense, i.e., their cell membrane, but it also inactivates the mighty resistant spores of the fungi. The damage to their cell wall and cell membrane result in leakage of their protoplasm in the surrounding spaces and eventually cell death.
A study at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA, explains that. Chlorine dioxide can effectively prevent Pontiac fever among hospitals admitted patients. The credit goes to its bactericidal nature that minimizes the number of Legionella bacteria in the water.
So, it is safe to assume that chlorine dioxide can be efficaciously used against several bacterial strains and fungal spores.
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Role of chlorine dioxide in combating the microbes
