Methods for Control of Microbial Growth

Controlling Microorganisms• Physical, chemical, and mechanical methods

can be used to destroy or reduce undesirable microbes in a given area

• Primary targets are microorganisms capable of causing infection or spoilage:– vegetative bacterial cells and endospores– fungal hyphae and spores, yeasts– protozoan trophozoites and cysts– worms– viruses

Hierarchy of Resistance• Most resistant = bacterial endospores• Moderately resistant = cysts, fungal

zygospores, naked viruses• Least resistant = vegetative bacterial

cells

Types of Control• Sterilization – a process that destroys all viable

microbes, including viruses and endospores; microbiocidal

• Disinfection – a process to destroy vegetative pathogens, not endospores; for inanimate objects

• Antisepsis – disinfectants applied directly to exposed body surfaces

• Sanitization – any cleansing technique that mechanically removes microbes

• Degermation – reduces the number of microbes

A Number of Factors Influence the Effectiveness of Control Agents

• Number of microbes• Nature of microbes in the population• Temperature and pH of environment• Concentration or dosage of agent• Mode of action of the agent• Presence of solvents, organic matter,

or inhibitors

Microbiocidals Cause Microbial Death

Stasis Agents Slow or Retard Growth, but Do Not Kill Microbes

Microbial Death

The Permanent Loss of Reproductive Capability Under

Optimal Growth Conditions

Cellular Targets of Control

1. Cell wall2. Cell membrane3. Nucleic Acids (DNA, RNA)4. Proteins

Physical Control Practices

Heat-Based Microbial Control Processes

• Incineration/ baking achieve sterility• Autoclaving: sterilization with live

steam and pressure, very widely used• Pasteurization: flash heat treatment

(63°C - 66°C for 30 minutes) that reduces the bio-burden of food materials (kills Salmonella and Listeria)

• Boiling disinfection – does not achieve sterility

Radiation Sterilization• Ionizing radiation (X-rays, gamma

particles) penetrates and damages DNA and other vital cell components

• Non-ionizing radiation (UV light) causes adjacent T-T pairs in DNA to fuse

• UV has limited penetration; use for surfaces and films of liquids

Ultra-filtration

• Mechanically excludes organisms from a liquid

• Membranes have a specific pore size; any particle larger cannot pass through

• Achieves sterilization

Filtration

Targets of Chemical Agents• Cell Membrane - detergents• Key Proteins – denaturing and cross-

linking agents• Nucleic Acids – alkylating and cross-

linking agents

Halogen Antimicrobials - Denature Proteins

• Chlorine compounds (gaseous Cl, bleach, chloramine); can be sporicidal

• Iodine (tincture, Betadine)• Halogens can react with any organic

matter – a surface should be clean before applying them!

Phenolics- Disrupt Cell Membranes & Precipitate Proteins• Phenol• Lysol• PhisoHex (not any more)• Benzalkonium chloride • Triclosan

Alcohols: Dissolve Membranes and Coagulate Proteins

• Ethanol (70%)• Isopropanol• Act as surfactants dissolving

membrane lipids and coagulating proteins of vegetative bacterial cells and fungi

• Cannot destroy spores at room temperature

Hydrogen Peroxide – Attacks DNA and Proteins

3% solution is effective as wound antiseptic, but is

potentially damaging to tissues

Heavy Metals

Mercury, Silver Salts Kill Vegetative Cells Present in low Numbers by

Inactivating Proteins

Aldehydes – Cross-link DNA and Proteins

• Formaldehyde – formalin• Glutaraldehyde - Cidex• A soak of dental or surgical

instruments in glutaraldehyde Does Not guarantee sterility!

Gases and Aerosols• Ethylene oxide, propylene oxide• Strong alkylating agents• High level• Sterilize and disinfect plastics and

prepackaged devices, foods