Bacteriocidal effects

The aminoglycosides are a closely related family of antibiotics produced almost exclusively by members of the genus Streptomyces and Micromonospora (Table 1.19). Most are polycationic compounds, composed of a cyclic amino alcohol to which amino sugars are attached. They all induce their bacteriocidal effect by inhibiting protein synthesis (apparently by binding to the 30 S and, to some extent, the 50 S, ribosomal subunits). Most are orally inactive, generally necessitating their parenteral administration. 

Returnable bottles are generally subjected to a three-part process. Bottles are washed in a bottle washer, as they would be for non-aseptic production however, the final rinse is with hot water, which has an initial bacteriocidal effect. The bottle rinser and filler are enclosed in an HEPA-filtered chamber the rinser uses hot water, maintaining the decontamination finally the filler injects steam into the bottle just prior to filling. The total process leads to a high log reduction in bacterial contamination, producing commercially sterile products. This process has been used for carbonated drinks. 

Tanshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bung), a medicinal plant, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for its tranquilizing, sedative, circulation-promoting and bacteriocidal effects. [73], It has proven to be a rich source of abietane o-quinone diterpenoids. Miltirone (197) is a tricyclic diterpenoid quinone which has been isolated from the roots of salvia miltiorrhiza Bung. The isolation of miltirone constitutes a new addition to naturally occurring quinines related to tanshinones [74,75] isolated from the same source. 

PolyPs display antiseptic, cytoprotective and antiviral activities. At a concentration of 0.1 % or higher, PolyP had a bacteriocidal effect on log arithmic-phase Bacillus cereus cells (Maier et al., 1999). The growth inhibition effect of PolyP was observed with Staphylococcus aureus (Jen and Shelef, 1986 Matsuoka et al., 1995) and Aerornonas hydrophila (Palumbo et al., 1995). 

Casey, P.G. and Condon, S. 2002. Sodium chloride decreases the bacteriocidal effect of acid pH on Escherichia coli 0157 H45. International Journal of Food Microbiology 76 199-206. 

Kellogg EW III, Yost MG, Barthakum, Kreveger AP. Superoxide involvement in the bacteriocidal effects of negative air ions on staphylococcus albus. Nature 1979 4 281-400. 

An interesting effect of a redox couple, whereby metals in two oxidation states, e.g. Fe(II)/Fe(III) or mixed-metal systems such as Mn(II)/ Fe(III), exert a considerably increased bacteriocidal effect over either component separately, has been observed [52]. Once the redox system is set up, significantly increased killing of 5. aureus was noted [52]. In some cases, the redox balance can be altered by agents such as ascorbic acid, which potentiates the effect of Cu(II) [53], and deferriferrioxamine B [54]. 

Tin is thought to be an essential trace element for some species, although its precise role remains unknown. Some therapeutic uses of tin compounds have been proposed, and triorganotin carboxylates are effective bacteriocides and pesticides. Tin is, of course, an important component of a number of alloys, with copper in bronze (the Bronze age began about 3500 BC), and with lead in pewter. 

Biological and medicinal aspects of silver chemistry are covered in Chapter 62 but a number of features will be outlined here. Silver salts are powerful bacteriocides and it has been known for many years that storing water in silver vessels prevents spoilage. Silver nitrate is highly corrosive and can be applied locally to remove warts or cauterize wounds. In many states in the USA, a 1% AgN03 solution is dropped into the eyes of newborn infants to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum. Silver sulfadiazine has been found effective as a topical application to prevent infections in serious bums victims. 

The least toxic, insofar as mammals are concerned, is the simplest structure of all, trichodermin, isolated from Trichoderma viride. It is, nevertheless, inhibitory to etiolated wheat coleoptiles down to 10 5M. The LD50 is 1 g/Kg orally, and 0.5-1 g/Kg subcutaneously in mice, and its low toxicity did, at one time, make it a potential candidate as a pharmaceutical antimicrobial by Leo Pharmaceuticals. It was an effective bacteriocide and, also, exhibited good activity against Candida albicans,16 From the perspective of activity on whole plant growth, it is a... 

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