超高压对大肠杆菌O157:H7细胞膜的损伤效应

本研究旨在揭示超高压对食源性致病微生物大肠杆菌O157:H7细胞膜的损伤。研究了200、400、500 MPa不同压力对大肠杆菌O157:H7的灭活作用,通过对菌体细胞核酸类物质、钾离子和镁离子泄漏量、碘化丙啶(propidium iodide,PI)摄入量、细胞膜Na+/K+-ATP酶和Ca~(2+)/Mg~(2+)-ATP酶活性变化的分析研究,评价不同超高压处理压力对大肠杆菌O157:H7膜损伤效应。结果表明,经200、400 MPa压力处理5 min后,大肠杆菌O157:H7菌落总数由初始8.8(lg(CFU/m L))分别下降至8.2(lg(CFU/m L))和6.3(lg(CFU/m L)),500 MPa压力处理后,大肠杆菌O157:H7全部死亡。压力升高,细菌细胞内核酸类物质、K+、Mg~(2+)离子泄漏量、PI摄入量均显著增加,细胞膜上Na+/K+-ATP酶和Ca~(2+)/Mg~(2+)-ATP酶活性显著降低。Ca~(2+)/Mg~(2+)-ATP酶对压力的敏感性更强,500 MPa处理组该酶活性几乎完全丧失。超高压处理引起大肠杆菌O157:H7细胞膜产生显著损伤,细胞膜上Ca~(2+)/Mg~(2+)-ATP酶的失活是导致大肠杆菌O157:H7死亡的主要原因。     

Membrane permeabilization and cellular death of Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Saccharomyces cerevisiae as induced by high pressure carbon dioxide treatment

In this study, the relationship between (irreversible) membrane permeabilization and loss of viability in Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells subjected to high pressure carbon dioxide (HPCD) treatment at different process conditions including temperature (35–45 °C), pressure (10.5–21.0 MPa) and treatment time (0–60 min) was examined. Loss of membrane integrity was measured as increased uptake of the fluorescent dye propidium iodide (PI) with spectrofluorometry, while cell inactivation was determined by viable cell count. Uptake of PI by all three strains indicated that membrane damage is involved in the mechanism of HPCD inactivation of vegetative cells. The extent of membrane permeabilization and cellular death increased with the severity of the HPCD treatment. The resistance of the three tested organisms to HPCD treatment changed as a function of treatment time, leading to significant tailing in the survival curves, and was dependent on pressure and temperature. The results in this study also indicated a HPCD-induced damage on nucleic acids during cell inactivation. Transmission electron microscopy showed that HPCD treatment had a profound effect on the intracellular organization of the micro-organisms and influenced the permeability of the bacterial cells by introducing pores in the cell wall.     

DMDC联合Nisin对模拟果汁中肠膜状明串珠菌细胞膜功能的影响

本文研究了二甲基二碳酸盐(DMDC)和Nisin处理对模拟果汁中肠膜状明串珠菌的杀菌效果及其细胞膜功能的影响。结果表明:DMDC联合Nisin作用于该菌时的部分杀菌浓度指数为0.38,小于0.50,两者之间具有很好的协同杀菌作用。扫描电镜分析发现该菌经DMDC和Nisin处理后其细胞形态没有发生明显变化。该菌经DMDC处理后仅有个别菌体细胞的膜通透性出现增加,而该菌经Nisin处理后,约7%菌体细胞的膜通透性增加。Nisin处理虽能改变该菌的细胞膜通透性,增加胞外极性物质的摄入,但并不能明显促进胞内物质的流失,高浓度的DMDC处理能导致该菌溶液的紫外吸收值增加约60%。DMDC和Nisin两者对该菌细胞内物质的流失、细胞膜的通透性的增加和胞内p H的下降没有相互促进作用,但DMDC和Nisin的联合作用能促进该菌细胞内脱氢酶的进一步失活。     

Modeling the inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and generic Escherichia coli by supercritical carbon dioxide

In this study, supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO(2)) was applied in the inactivation of pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 and generic E. coli. For both strains suspended in physiological saline (PS), colony forming units per ml were reduced by 8 log orders within 15-30 min, in a treatment range of 80-150 bar and 35-45 degrees C. Any significant differences between the two E. coli strains during the inactivation by SC-CO(2) were not noticed. The microbial inactivation curve, which was established by the modified Gompertz model describing the survival rate with treatment time, was divided into three distinct stages. When using cells in PS, k(dm), lambda and t(8) (the time for an 8-log reduction of cell counts) were 0 to 3 min(-1), 8 to 16 min and 11 to 29 min, respectively. The temperature-dependency of the microbial inactivation was verified via the correlation of the logarithm of k(dm) versus the inverse of temperature. We have observed lower inactivation rates in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) than in PS, the lowered pH, and an increase of UV-absorbing substances in the cell suspension after SC-CO(2) treatment. Also, the deformation and collapse of the SC-CO(2)-treated cells were revealed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and the deactivation of cellular enzymes occurred. These all suggest that the inactivation of E. coli O157:H7 and generic E. coli was possibly caused in a concerted manner by acidification, damage to cell membranes and subsequent leakage of cellular materials, and the inactivation of cellular enzymes.     

Comparative study of physiological adaptation to salt stress in the genome shuffled Candida versatilis and a wild-type salt-tolerant yeast strain

Candida versatilis is a yeast with a complex salt-tolerant system. It can maintain normal physiological activities and metabolic fermentation under a high-salt environment. The cellular mechanisms of adaptation to salt stress in strains of a wild type of C. versatilis (WT) and S3–5, genome shuffling strains of C. versatilis with improved tolerance to salt, were investigated. The content of intra- and extra-cellular glycerol, intra-cellular Na⁺, as well as membrane fluidity and permeability, were determined under salt-stressed yeast growth conditions. The results showed that Na⁺/H⁺-antiporter played a primary role in Na⁺ extrusion and H⁺-ATPase has been associated with yeast survival under salt stress. Considerable amounts of glycerol were produced and secreted by the yeast to outside the cell under this salt stress. Changes in the portion of membrane saturated and unsaturated fatty acid composition of C. versatilis in response to osmotic stress lead to membrane permeability and fluidity decreases. They could restrict the influx of Na⁺, enhance H⁺-ATPase activity, and prevent leakage of glycerol across the cell membrane under osmotic stress. The salt tolerance of genome shuffled strain S3–5 was higher than WT. It could be correlated with a higher level of intra-cellular accumulation of glycerol and sodium ions in cells of S3–5 than WT as well as a higher portion of oleic fatty acid (C18: 1) and a lower level of linoleic acid (C18: 2) in cell membranes of the studied yeast mutant. It can be concluded that S3–5 improved physiological regulatory mechanisms of response to salt stress, such as decreased membrane fluidity and a permeability that rapidly adjusted to osmotic stress.     

低温预贮对冷藏桃果实冷害及能量水平的影响

研究了低温预贮对桃果冷害和能量水平的影响。桃果实先在12℃预贮6d,随后于0℃贮藏30d, 每隔5d测定果实褐变指数、硬度和出汁率等冷害指标、H+-ATPase、Ca2+-ATPase、琥珀酸脱氢酶、细胞色素氧化酶等线粒体呼吸代谢相关酶活性及能量相关物质ATP、ADP、AMP含量和能荷变化。结果表明：低温预贮处理可有效抑制果实H+-ATPase、和Ca2+-ATPase活性的下降,保持较高的琥珀酸脱氢酶和细胞色素氧化酶活性,使得ATP、ADP的含量及能荷保持较高水平,减少膜脂过氧化产物丙二醛(MDA)的积累和细胞膜透性增加,延缓果实出汁率下降,抑制果实褐变指数的升高。结果表明：低温预贮处理通过调节线粒体呼吸代谢酶活性,维持果实较高的能量水平,从而延缓膜脂过氧化进程,减轻果实冷害的发生。     

Non-thermal inactivation of Lactobacillus plantarum as influenced by pressure and temperature of pressurized carbon dioxide

Summary Non-thermal inactivation of Lactobacillus plantarum cells as influenced by pressure and temperature of pressurized carbon dioxide was investigated to evaluate its potential use for preservation of foods and biological substances. Microbial inactivation by the pressurized CO₂ was dependent principally on the transfer rate of CO₂ into cells and effectiveness could be improved by increasing pressure and temperature. Microbial reduction of more than 6 logs occurred within 30 min under CO₂ pressure of 2000 psi at 30 °C. The results showed that the pressurized CO₂ treatment could be used as a potential non-thermal preservation technology for foods.     

Characterization of the Na+-ATPase gene (ZENA1) from the salt-tolerant yeast Zygosaccharomyces rouxii

In order to clarify the relationship between the salt tolerance of Zygosaccharomyces rouxii and the function of Na+-ATPase, a gene which exhibited homology to the Na+-ATPase gene (ZENA1) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was isolated from Z. rouxii. This newly isolated gene (ZENA1) encoded a product of 1048 amino acids. The predicted amino-acid sequence of Zena1p was highly homologous to that of S. cerevisiae Ena1p and Ena2p, and Schwanniomyces occidentalis Ena1p and Ena2p, but showed low homology to that of Zpma1p, which is the product of the Z. rouxii plasma membrane H+.ATPase gene (ZENA1). Zena1p shares the peptide motifs which have been suggested to participate in the function of ATPase. Expression of ZENA1 was observed, but was independent of NaCl shock. When ZENA1 was expressed in salt-sensitive S. cerevisiae under the regulation of a GAL1 promoter by using the expression vector pYES2, salt tolerance of the transformants was observed. The growth characteristics of Zena1Delta-disruptants of Z. rouxii and the pH profiles of their plasma membrane ATPase activity were almost the same as those of the wild-type strain, indicating that the function of Zena1p is of little relevance to the salt tolerance property of Z. rouxii. By considering the close relationship between the salt tolerance of Z. rouxii and the function of its Na+/H+-antiporter, we concluded that the extrusion of Na+ across the plasma membrane in Z. rouxii cells might be carried out mainly via the function of the Na+/H+-antiporter in a high salinity environment.     

Mechanisms of Bacillus subtilis spore inactivation by single- and multi-pulse high hydrostatic pressure (MP-HHP)

Herein we investigate the effect of multi-pulse high hydrostatic pressure (MP-HHP) on the inactivation of Bacillus subtilis spores. B. subtilis spores were subjected to MP-HHP under pressures at 200–500 MPa at temperatures of 40 and 60 °C with 3 pulses (holding time of 3 min) with a total processing time of 10 min and compared it with a single pressurization (S-HHP).Mechanism of spore inactivation by S- or MP-HHP was explored by assessing germination by heat shock treatment, spore susceptibility to lysozyme and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), release of dipicolinic acid (DPA), and the permeability of inner membrane and cortex. Our results presented the highest spore inactivation (5.8 log reduction), when MP-HHP was applied under the highest temperature and pressure. The increased inactivation appears to be largely due to mechanical disruption of spore coat and inner and outer membranes, as evidenced by DPA release, increased susceptibility to lysozyme and H₂O₂ (indicative of breakage of disulfide bonds in the spore coat), and membrane permeability as assessed by spore staining and fluorescence microscopy. No differences were seen in germination between MP-HHP and S-HHP. There was no evidence of any loss of cortex lytic enzymes or degradation of small acid-soluble proteins (SASPs) during both MP-HHP and S-HHP treatments.     

Pulsed electric fields cause bacterial envelopes permeabilization depending on the treatment intensity, the treatment medium pH and the microorganism investigated

The relationship between membrane permeabilization and loss of viability by pulsed electric fields (PEF) depending on the treatment intensity and the treatment media pH in two gram-positive (Lactobacillus plantarum, Listeria monocytogenes) and two gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Salmonella senftenberg 775W) bacterial species has been investigated. Loss of membrane integrity was measured as increased uptake of the fluorescent dye propidium iodide (PI). Non-permanent/reversible permeabilization was detected when cells stained with PI during PEF resulted in higher fluorescence than that measured in cells stained after PEF. Whereas loss of viability of the two gram-negative bacteria was correlated with the sum of non-permanent and permanent membrane permeabilization when treated at pH 7.0, in the case of the two gram-positives, loss of viability was correlated with a permanent loss of membrane integrity. At pH 7.0, the four bacteria exhibited reversible permeabilization. However, whereas the gram-positives capable of reversing permeabilization survived, the gram-negative cells died, despite their capacity to reverse permeabilization immediately after PEF. Thus, resealing is not necessarily related to the survival of PEF-treated cells. In contrast, when cells were PEF-treated at pH 4.0 a more complicated picture emerged. Whereas loss of viability was correlated with a permanent loss of membrane integrity in L. monocytogenes cells, in L. plantarum the degree of permeabilization was higher, and in the gram-negative strains, much lower than the percentage of inactivated cells. These results support the view that membrane permeabilization is involved in the mechanism of bacterial inactivation by PEF, but the nature of membrane damage and its relationship with cell death depends on the bacterial species and the treatment medium pH.     

Effect of cellular inositol content on ethanol tolerance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in sake brewing

The effect of cellular inositol content on the ethanol tolerance of sake yeast was investigated. In a static culture of strain K901 in a synthetic medium, when cells were grown in the presence of inositol in limited amount (L-cells), the inositol content of cells decreased by one-third that of cells grown in the presence of inositol in sufficient amount (H-cells). L-cells exhibited a higher death rate constant than H-cells in the presence of 12-20% ethanol, while no difference in specific ethanol production rate in the presence of 0-18% ethanol between the two cell types was observed. L-cells leaked more intracellular components, such as nucleotides, phosphate and potassium, in the presence of ethanol than H-cells. L-cells exhibited a lower intracellular pH value than H-cells, which represented the lowering of cell vitality by the decrease in H(+) extrusion activity. Furthermore, the plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase activity of L-cells was approximately one-half of that of H-cells. Therefore, it was considered that the decrease in viability in the presence of ethanol due to inositol limitation results from the lowering of H(+)-ATPase activity, which maintains the permeability barrier of the yeast membrane, ensuring the homeostasis of ions in the cytoplasm of yeast cells. It is assumed that the lowering of H(+)-ATPase activity due to inositol limitation is caused by the change in lipid environment of the enzyme, which is affected by inositol-containing glycerophospholipids such as phosphatidylinositol (PI), because in the PI-saturated mixed micellar assay system, the difference in H(+)-ATPase activity between L- and H-cells disappeared. In the early stage of sake mash, inositol limitation lowers the ethanol tolerance due to the decrease in H(+)-ATPase activity as in static culture. In the final stage of sake mash, the disruption of the ino1 gene responsible for inositol synthesis, resulted in a decrease in cell density. Furthermore, the ino1 disruptant, which was not capable of increasing the cellular inositol level in the final stage, exhibited a significantly higher methylene blue-staining ratio than the parental strain. It was suggested that the yeast cellular inositol level is one of the important factors which contribute to the high ethanol tolerance implied by the increased cell viability in the presence of ethanol.     

Inactivation of Escherichia coli, Listeria innocua and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in relation to membrane permeabilization and subsequent leakage of intracellular compounds due to pulsed electric field processing

Membrane permeabilization, caused by pulsed electric field (PEF) processing of microbial cells, was investigated by measurement of propidium iodide (PI) uptake with flow cytometry. Inactivation of Escherichia coli, Listeria innocua and Saccharomyces cerevisiae was determined by viable counts, and leakage of intracellular compounds, such as ATP and UV-absorbing substances, was measured in the extracellular environment. Electrical field strength and pulse duration influenced membrane permeabilization of all three tested organisms of which S. cerevisiae was the most PEF sensitive, followed by E. coli and L. innocua. It was shown by viable counts, PI uptake and leakage of intracellular compounds that L. innocua was the most resistant. Increased inactivation corresponded to greater numbers of permeabilized cells, which were reflected by increased PI uptake and larger amounts of intracellular compounds leaking from cells. For E. coli and L. innocua, a linear relationship was observed between the number of inactivated cells (determined as CFU) and cells with permeated membranes (determined by PI uptake), with higher number of inactivated cells than permeated cells. Increased leakage of intracellular compounds with increasing treatment severity provided further evidence that cells were permeabilized. For S. cerevisiae, there was higher PI uptake after PEF treatments, although very little or no inactivation was observed. Results suggest that E. coli and L. innocua cells, which took up PI, lost their ability to multiply, whereas cells of S. cerevisiae, which also took up PI, were not necessarily lethally permeabilized.     

Mode of action of lactocin 705, a two-component bacteriocin from Lactobacillus casei CRL705

Lactocin 705 is a bacteriocin whose activity depends on the complementary action of two peptides (705alpha and 705beta) of 33-amino-acid residues each and is produced by Lactobacillus casei CRL705. Biologically active, synthetic lactocin 705 was used to study the mode of action on sensitive cells of Lactobacillus plantarum CRL691. The addition of 90 nmol l(-1) of lactocin 705 to cells of L. plantarum dissipated both, the membrane potential (DeltaPsi) and the pH gradient (DeltapH). Energized membrane, obtained after the addition of glucose, were more susceptible to lactocin 705 action leading to the immediate release of intracellular K(+) and inorganic phosphate. When the role of various ions on sensitive cells were analyzed, only Ca(2+) ion exhibited a protective effect against lactocin 705. These data suggest that the presence of a proton motive force (PMF) promotes the interaction of the bacteriocin with the cytoplasmic membrane of energized cells, leading to pore formation which allows for the efflux of ions, thereby ensuring efficient killing of target bacteria.     

Inactivation Kinetics of Lactobacillus plantarum by High Pressure Carbon Dioxide

Inactivation kinetics of Lactobacillus plantarum by high pressure CO₂ was investigated to understand the mechanism of microbial inactivation. The inactivation rates increased with pressure, temperature and exposure time, and with decreasing pH of media. Microbial inactivation was governed essentially by penetration of CO₂ into cells and its effectiveness could be improved by the enhanced transfer rate. Microbial reduction of 8 log cycles was observed within 120 min under CO₂ pressure of 70 kg/cm² at 30°C. We hypothesized that the cell death resulted from the lowered intracellular pH and damage to the cell membrane due to penetration of CO₂. Pressurized CO₂ treatment is a potential nonthermal technology for food preservation.     

具抗氧化功能益生菌菌株筛选及其对丙烯酰胺诱导肠上皮细胞氧化损伤的保护作用

目的:以1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼(1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl,DPPH)自由基清除率为指标,筛选抗氧化能力强的乳杆菌,并研究其对模拟胃肠道环境的耐受性及对丙烯酰胺所致肠上皮细胞氧化损伤的保护作用。方法:以DPPH自由基清除率为指标,筛选得到清除率高的2株乳杆菌GBE17和GBE29,并进行16S rDNA测序鉴定。构建丙烯酰胺诱导的Caco-2氧化损伤模型,通过形态学观察和测定细胞培养上清液、细胞裂解液中的抗氧化物相关物质及酶活,评价其不同处理方式对Caco-2细胞氧化损伤的保护作用,并分别测定其在pH 3.0、2.5及胆盐质量分数为0.05%、0.1%环境下处理1~4 h的活菌数变化。结果:植物乳杆菌GBE17和唾液乳杆菌GBE29发酵上清液的DPPH自由基清除率分别为89.44%、79.24%。GBE17的治疗组与干预组和GBE29的干预组均可降低乳酸脱氢酶的释放,提高细胞内外超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶活性。2株乳杆菌在pH 3.0和胆盐质量分数0.1%的环境下处理4 h,存活数均高于107 CFU/mL。结论:植物乳杆菌GBE17和唾液乳杆菌GBE29通过提高细胞内抗氧化酶系的活性,有效地降低丙烯酰胺诱导肠上皮细胞的氧化损伤,且具有较好的胁迫耐受能力。     

银耳多糖对冻干植物乳杆菌细胞膜及糖代谢酶的保护作用

为了探索银耳多糖作为益生菌冻干保护剂的潜在应用,该研究以植物乳杆菌为试验菌,通过测定植物乳杆菌冻干前后的活菌数、细胞膜性质以及糖代谢酶活力的变化,评价了银耳多糖复合酪蛋白酸钠对植物乳杆菌的冻干保护效果。结果表明：当银耳多糖与酪蛋白酸钠的复合比例为3:1时,菌的最大存活率达到55.39%,此时细胞内钙离子荧光强度显著降低,为29.98;DPH的荧光强度最低,为4.91;细胞内乳酸脱氢酶、钠钾ATP酶与钙镁ATP酶的活力最大,分别为0.32 U/mL、121.61 U/g与45.64 U/g。银耳多糖使膜受损的菌百分比从98.35%最大降低至37.90%。但冻干前后己糖激酶和丙酮酸激酶的活力无显著性变化。红外扫描结果表明银耳多糖与酪蛋白酸钠之间存在非共价相互作用;此外,银耳多糖的保护使菌粉表面的孔隙率降低,酪蛋白酸钠的复合则增加了菌粉的致密性。因此,银耳多糖在冷冻干燥过程中对植物乳杆菌细胞膜受到的损伤具有显著的抑制作用,对植物乳杆菌的乳酸脱氢酶、钠钾ATP酶及钙镁ATP酶具有明显的保护作用。     

Evidence on the role of protein biosynthesis in the induction of heat tolerance of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG by pressure pre-treatment

It was the aim of this work to evaluate, whether and to which extent heat resistance of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is affected by mild pressure treatments prior to exposure to lethal temperatures, such as during spray-drying. It was observed that cells pressure pre-treated at 100 MPa at 37 degrees C for 10 min showed higher survival than untreated cells when exposed to heat challenge at 60 degrees C. To gain more insights on the cellular mode of action of pressure induced heat tolerance, flow cytometric analysis was applied in combination with functional dye LIVE/DEAD BacLight bacterial viability kit. Dot plot analysis showed that a lower degree of membrane damage was observed at pressure pre-treated cells upon heat treatment at 60 degrees C for 3 min. Evaluation of heat inactivation kinetics of cells pressure treated in the presence of chloramphenicol, a protein synthesis inhibitor, pointed out the potential contribution of pressure-induced protein biosynthesis in the enhancement of bacterial heat tolerance.     

东北传统发酵食品中高抗氧化活性植物乳杆菌的筛选及体外耐受性分析

为了获得高抗氧化活性植物乳杆菌,从东北传统发酵食品辣椒酱、臭豆腐、粘面子中筛选出75株植物乳杆菌。将75株植物乳杆菌分为无细胞上清液、完整细胞、无细胞提取物三个组分,以DPPH和ABTS+自由基清除率为指标对菌株进行筛选,分析不同指标间的相关性,并评价菌株耐酸、耐胆盐能力及对抗生素的敏感性。结果表明,23株菌株表现出较好的抗氧化活性,无细胞上清液对DPPH和ABTS自由基清除率均大于90%,完整细胞和无细胞提取物对这两种自由基清除率均大于30%。植物乳杆菌的三个组分在清除DPPH自由基中存在相关性,无细胞上清液在DPPH和ABTS+两种评价方法上存在极显著相关性。其中有5株植物乳杆菌(D2、H8、L20、L11和A2)在pH2.0环境中存活率均大于59%,在0.3%胆盐中的存活率均大于93%,对7种抗生素敏感性较强。因此,这5株植物乳杆菌对于开发抗氧化作用的功能食品具有潜在的应用价值。     

Increase of the anion and proton permeability of Saccharomyces carlsbergensis plasmalemma by n-alcohols as a possible cause of its de-energization

The effect of n-alcohols on ATP-dependent generation of delta pH and Em across the plasma membrane vesicles of the yeast Saccharomyces carlsbergensis was investigated. The alcohols were shown to collapse delta pH and Em in the order C2 less than C3 less than C4 less than C5 less than or equal to C6 greater than or equal to C7 greater than C8 greater than C11, the dissipation of Em being more pronounced. Inhibition of the plasmalemma H(+)-ATPase was insignificant; at low alcohol concentrations its activity even increased. The basic reason for the toxic effect of the alcohols on the yeast cells was suggested to be due to the increase in the anion and proton permeability of the plasma membrane. Mg2+ partially prevented the increase in the plasmalemma ion permeability by the alcohols investigated.     

Electro activated water mechanism on Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis and optimization of operating parameters

In this study, the efficacy of electro activated water (EAW) and its mechanism on Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis were investigated. The effects of different operating parameters of EAW on inactivation of bacteria were evaluated by response surface methodology (RSM). The interaction of free chlorine concentration and treatment time at 25 °C had a synergetic effect on E. coli and E. faecalis inactivation. The increase in crystal violet uptake showed the deterioration of cell membrane permeability. The release of 260 nm absorbing materials from both bacteria increased after EAW treatment. Protein degeneration increased with deformation of E. coli and E. faecalis cell membranes, which in turn was followed by the release of proteins together with other intracellular components such as DNA, RNA, potassium, and phosphate.

Practical applications

An electrode module was setup to produce EAW from a mixture of salt and tap water. Freshly prepared EAW was added to the bacterial pellets, mixing thoroughly and immediately initiating a timer. The mixtures were set at different treatment times. The effects of three operating parameters (treatment time, free chlorine concentration (FCC) and temperature) on bacteria inactivation were investigated using Response surface methodology. Crystal violet uptake assay, 260 nm release study and FT‐IR spectroscopy analysis were conducted to determine the mechanism of action of EAW.