Bacterial target sites for biocide action

Abstract

1. Summary, 16S 2. Introduction, 16S 3. Micro‐organisms and biocides, 17S 4. Mechanisms of action of biocides: overall target sites, 18S 4.1 Bacterial inactivation and mechanisms of action: the η‐value, 18S 4.2 Biocide–micro‐organism interactions, 19S 4.2.1. Interactions with outer cell components, 19S 4.2.2. Interactions at the cell cytoplasmic membrane level, 20S 4.2.2.1. Disruption of the cytoplasmic membrane, 20S 4.2.2.2. Dissipation of the proton motive force, 21S 4.2.2.3. Interactions with other enzymatic systems, 21S 4.2.3. Interactions with cytoplasmic constituents, 21S 4.2.3.1. Interactions with cell nucleic acids, 21S 4.2.3.2. Interactions with cell ribosomes, 22S 4.2.3.3. Interactions with other cell constituents, 22S 5. Mechanism of action of biocides: random detrimental effects or specific target sites?, 22S 5.1 Random detrimental effects to the bacterial cells, 22S 5.2 Specific target sites, 23S 5.3 Biocide concentration: a key issue, 23S 6. Conclusions, 23S 7. References, 24S Although biocides have been used for a century, the number of products containing biocides has recently increased dramatically with public awareness of hygiene issues. The antimicrobial efficacy of biocides is now well documented; however, there is still a lack of understanding of their antimicrobial mechanisms of action.