Effect of chlorine dioxide on selected membrane functions of Escherichia coli.

The mode of action of chlorine dioxide on Escherichia coli was assessed by studying outer membrane permeability to macromolecules and potassium, and observing effects on respiration. The results indicate that gross cellular damage involving significant leakage of intracellular macromolecules does not occur. There was a substantial efflux of potassium, however, and respiration was inhibited even at sublethal doses. It was concluded that the inhibition of respiration, which could be due to the damage to the cell envelope, was not the primary lethal event. Observations of the efflux of K+ strongly implicate the loss of permeability control as the primary lethal event at the physiological level, with nonspecific oxidative damage to the outer membrane leading to the destruction of the trans-membrane ionic gradient.