Disinfection of Dental Instruments Contaminated with Streptococcus mutans Using Ozonated Water Alone or Combined with Ultrasound

Ozone gas diluted in water has been shown to produce significant results in terms of the elimination of microorganisms. Streptococcus mutans is the etiologic agent of dental caries. Methods using water containing ozone and an ultrasonic cleaner were employed for the disinfection of a curette. Streptococcus mutans was grown in a selective medium. The curette was submitted to disinfection by water containing ozone, by ultrasound, and then both techniques were combined. The results show that either method produced a significant microbial reduction, but the efficacy of both methods combined was greater. This method of disinfection proved to be both viable and cheap.     

The Disinfecting Action of Ozonated Water and of Hydrogen Peroxide/Silver Ions In Vitro

An in-vitro comparison was made between the disinfecting action of ozonated water and hydrogen peroxide/silver ion preparations using the “Quantitative suspension” test and Pseudomonas aemginosa. No microorganisms could be detected immediately after contact between ozonated water and the pseudomonadeae. In the case of the peroxide preparation, however, its action corresponded to that of aqua bidestillata (control experiment) and no disinfection had taken place. The use of hydrogen peroxide preparations in dental units for microbiological and toxicological reasons should therefore be reconsidered.     

Formation of Ketoacids in Ozonated Drinking Water

Three ketoacids; glyoxylic acid, pyruvic acid and ketomalonic acid, were identified in ozonated drinking waters and fulvic acid solutions using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. It was found that the concentrations of ketoacids were much higher than those of aldehydes in ozonated waters. The significance of ketoacids in finished drinking waters is discussed.     

Germicidal Properties of Ozonated Sunflower Oil

The aim of this work was to establish the minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) of ozonated sunflower oil for various microorganisms. To determine the influence of the ozonated medium on the growth of bacteria Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and yeast Candida albicans the Petri dish method was used. Chemical and physical properties of ozonated sunflower oil were additionally studied. Microbiological studies proved that these microbes have various sensibility against ozonated oil. The most resistant are gram-negative bacteria E. coli and the yeast C. albicans. Gram-positive bacteria, B. subtilis turned out to be less resistant, because no growth was observed for preparation with an ozone dose of 200 mgO₃/g oil.     

Studies on the Disinfection and Removal of Biofilms by Ozone Water Using an Artificial Microbial Biofilm System

Inactivation rates of the biofilms of P. fluorescence and P. aeruginosa established on a small slide glass in ozone water (0.9–3.2 mg/L, 1–20 min) were determined in a batch or flow-through system. The effects of ozone water on the biofilm matrices were defined clearly in situ by confocal laser scanning microscopy. These results indicate that ozone is an effective biocide against biofilms and it can remove exopolysaccharides in the biofilm matrices. However, the effective concentration of ozone for disinfection of biofilms varied with the biofilms formed, mainly due to reactions of ozone with constituents of the biofilms.     

Antibacterial Effect of Gaseous and Aqueous Ozone in Root Canals Infected by Enterococcus Faecalis

The present study evaluated the antibacterial effects of aqueous and gaseous ozone in human root canals infected with Enterococcus faecalis. Infected root canals were divided into two control groups (saline, sodium hypochlorite) and three experimental groups (manual or ultrasonic technique of aqueous and, gaseous ozone). Disinfection procedures were performed, remaining microbial colonies were counted and data were evaluated. Sodium hypochlorite showed the highest antibacterial effect on root canals infected with Enteroccous faecalis. Moreover, aqueous ozone with ultrasonic technique appear to be more influential than aqueous ozone with manual technique and gaseous ozone.     

Industrial-scale Malting Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Seed Disinfection by Fog of Ozonated Water Application

The aim of this study was to underscore that seed treatment by the fog of ozonated water constitutes a promising alternative tool, in terms of health and environmental gains, regarding traditional ozone treatment. In order to obtain a clear vision of this performance, the technology was implemented on an industrial scale (malting industry). Under an exposition of barley seeds to 9.8 ppm of dissolved ozone into water, our results showed a significant disinfection effect of 80% for Fusarium sp. and 70% for Aspergillus sp., but no effect was established on Alternaria sp.     

The Evaluation Of Ozonation and Chlorination On Disinfection By-Product Formation for a High-Bromide Water

High-bromide raw water was ozonated or chlorinated with and without hydrogen peroxide to study the effect of the disinfectants on the disinfection by-product (DBP) formation. Less bromate was formed when ozonation was made at the ambient pH of 5.8 as compared to ozonation at pH 7, showing the effectiveness of pH reduction in controlling the bromate formation. When chlorine dose was 1 mg/L instead of 2.3 mg/L, the trihalomethane formation was 50 μg/L instead of >100 μg/L, and the proportional distribution of the trihalomethanes was similar. The use of ozone for this water could provide good results in respect of the DBP formation.     

Nutrient Solution Prepared with Ozonated Water does not Damage Early Growth of Hydroponically Grown Tomatoes

Ozonated water as a water source for nutrient solution was investigated in hydroponically grown tomatoes. Nutrient solution was prepared by diluting concentrated nutrient solutions with ozonated water with dissolved ozone (DO₃) concentrations of 0 to 10 mg L^?1. Manganese concentration in the nutrient solution decreased with increasing DO₃ concentrations. Initial growth of tomato plants supplied with nutrient solution prepared with ozonated water with a DO₃ concentration of 1.5 mg L^?1 was greater than that with a DO₃ concentration of 0 mg L^?1. These results indicate that ozonated water can be used as a disinfectant for source water in hydroponics during the early growth stage of tomatoes.     

Use of Ozonated Water for Disinfecting Gastrointestinal Endoscopes

The reprocessing of endoscopes is a complex procedure due to their structural design. In the constant search for new antimicrobial substances, recent studies with ozone have yielded great benefits. The present study evaluated the effects of ozonated water used to disinfect endoscopes comparing its efficacy with the conventional technique (2% glutaraldehyde). According to the results obtained, when ozonated water was used (330 mg.min.L^?1), induced a 2 log reduction of the viable microorganisms under the conditions tested. Ozonated water was a potent gastrointestinal endoscopic sanitizer, suggesting it is a feasible alternative for disinfection.     

Effects of Ozonated Water Application on the Population Density of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici in Soil Columns

The potential of ozonated water was investigated as an alternative to soil disinfectants in reducing the population densities of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici in artificially infested quartz sand and Kuroboku soil columns. Significant reductions in the population density were observed with dissolved ozone concentrations (DOCs) of 6 and 12 mg L^?1 in infested quartz sand but not in infested Kuroboku soil. The results indicate that repetitive application of ozonated water with higher DOCs should be required for reducing the population density of F. oxysporum in soils with high content of organic substances and large surface area.     

The influence of the water heater in dental chairs on the ozone concentration in the water used

Water heaters in dental chairs serve to heat water to about body temperature in order to make it more comfortable for the patient. This leads to a reduction in ozone concentration of 40–50%, as shown in laboratory experiments and also at dental chairs. In the event that evidence is found of positive biological effects in oral surgery on using relatively high ozone concentrations in water (5–10 μg/ml) then water heaters should not be used.     

Laboratory Simulation of the Effect of Ozone and Monochloramine on Biofilms in Drinking Water Mains

Cultivated on cement surfaces to simulate growth on cement mortar lined drinking water mains was investigated in a laboratory biofilm reactor. The biofilms were subsequently exposed to ozone and monochloramine. Inactivation of biofilm bacteria by ozone was found to be a non-linear function of the ozone dose, and the results provided a more rational basis for determining conditions for ozone disinfection of water mains. Results further suggest that monochloramine might be an effective disinfectant for biofilms on pipe walls. Microbiological observations indicated that monochloramine is a non-selective disinfectant compared to ozone.     

Promotion of Adventitious Roots in Chrysanthemum Cuttings by Soaking in Ozonated Water

To examine the effect of soaking in ozonated water (OW) on development of adventitious roots, basal ends of chrysanthemum cuttings (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) were soaked in 1, 3 or 5 mg L^?1 OW, in an indol-3-butyric acid (IBA) solution prepared from a commercial root promoting agent or in distilled water (DW). At 20 day after transplanting (DAT), a significant increase in adventitious root number (ARN) was observed in the IBA-treated cuttings but early root elongation was delayed. When soaked in the 5 mg L^?1 OW, ARN and total root length (TRL) grown over 40 mm were increased with a decrease in soaking duration (from 50 to 5 min). Lateral root number (LRN) of the cuttings soaked in the 3 mg L^?1 OW for 1 h showed four times higher than that of the DW treatment at 19 DAT. Optimal combination of dissolved ozone concentration and soaking duration can promote early root elongation and LRN of chrysanthemum cuttings. From a comprehensive standpoint, a high DOC of OW with a short soaking duration (3 mg L^?1 × 1 h and 5 mg L^?1 × 5 min) worked as well as IBA for adventitious rooting of chrysanthemum cuttings. These findings indicate that ozonated water can be an alternative to root promotion agents for adventitious rooting of chrysanthemum cuttings.     

Optimization and Control of Ozonation Plant Using Raw Water Characterization Method

This study was undertaken to devise an innovative method for optimization and control of ozone dosage in drinking water ozonation treatment plants. The method is based upon a specifically-conceived analytical procedure, which can accurately measure the ozone decomposition rate. This was found to consist of two apparent phases: an instantaneous ozone demand (ID) phase and a relatively slower ozone decay (pseudo first-order rate constant, kc) phase. Those parameters, ID and kc were measured in a demonstration plant by the testing procedure in order to characterize raw water and process water, and utilized an Automatic Ozone Control Unit (ACU) to optimize preozonation (with parameter, ID) and postozonation (with parameter, kc).     

Effects of Spraying Ozonated Water on the Severity of Powdery Mildew Infection on Cucumber Leaves

Effects of spraying ozonated water on the severity of powdery mildew infection, visible disorder/injury occurrence, and net photosynthesis in cucumbers were investigated. The severity in the ozonated water treatment was contained to almost the same level throughout the 14-day period of the experiment, while the severity steadily increased in the non-treated control and distilled water treatment. Neither visible disorder/injury on the leaves nor a large difference in net photosynthesis between before and after spraying the ozonated water was observed. The results indicate that ozonated water can be at least a partial alternative to agricultural chemical fungicides for powdery mildew on cucumber leaves.     

N-Nitrosodimethylamine Formation from Hydrazine Compounds on Ozonation

N-Nitrosodimethylamine formation from six hydrazine compounds on ozonation was investigated. N-Nitrosodimethylamine formation yields in groundwater (pH 7) were 7.5%–89%. Results in the presence of tert-butyl alcohol indicated that N-nitrosodimethylamine was formed by reaction with molecular ozone, except for tetramethyltetrazene. From the results of effects of pH, tert-butyl alcohol and water matrix (groundwater and river water), it was suggested that reactions of tetramethyltetrazene with ozone, hydroxyl radicals, etc., were associated with N-nitrosodimethylamine formation. Some reactions restricted N-nitrosodimethylamine formation. Because N-nitrosodimethylamine formation of hydraxine compounds on chloramination was low, they are more important N-nitrosodimethylamine precursors on ozonation in actual water treatment.     

Pilot-Scale Evaluation of Ozone vs. Peroxone for Trihalomethane Formation

Both the direct ozone reaction and the indirect hydroxyl radical reaction are important in the ozonation of drinking water. This paper investigates the effectiveness of ozone versus ozone coupled with hydrogen peroxide (peroxone) with respect to trihalomethanes formation. The investigation was conducted on a pilot-scale at various H₂O₂:O₃ dose ratios of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.35 and change in peroxide addition point (pre- and post-ozonation). It was observed that the addition of peroxide, either before or after ozonation, increased trihalomethane concentrations and that increasing H₂O₂:O₃ increased trihalomethane concentrations. In comparing the addition point of peroxide, addition prior to ozonation better controlled trihalomethane formation than after ozonation.     

Impact of Support Media on the Biological Treatment of Ozonated Drinking Water

An extensive review of the technical literature was conducted in order to determine the advantages and disadvantages of the various media used for biological filtration of ozonated drinking water. Granular activated carbon (GAC) filters were found to be significantly more efficient than conventional filters such as sand and anthracite coal. The type of activated carbon also impacted the performance of biofilters; due to their greater adsorption capacity, microporous GACs were found to be better suited than macroporus GACs.     

Biocidal Efficacy of Ozone and Chlorine on Planktonic and Biofilm Cells of Two Marine Bacteria Species

For successful performance of cooling water systems, biofouling of heat exchange units has to be controlled. In this study planktonic and biofilm cells of two marine bacteria, Bacillus pumilus and Planomicrobium flavidum, were assayed for the biocidal efficacy of ozone and chlorine at 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.5 and 1.8 mg L^?1 concentrations. Ozone at a dose of 1.5 mg L^?1 killed all the planktonic and biofilm cells of B. pumilus within 15 min of contact time, while chlorine took 30 min at the same dose. However, P. flavidum showed moderate tolerance to ozone and chlorine; a reduction of 7 logs was observed with planktonic cells and 8 logs with biofilm cells. The study elaborates the possibilities of ozone application in once through seawater cooling systems based on the biofilm assay studies.

[Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Ozone: Science &; Engineering for the following free supplemental resources: tables containing the data used to plot Figures 3 and 5 of the article.]