Mechanism of Antimicrobial Effect of Quinone Compounds

The qualitative change and quantitative change of p-benzoquinone were followed in yeast suspension to obtain the information on the mechanism of the antimicrobial effect of quinone compounds. When the quinone concentration was below 0.16 mM, the quinone was found to be continuously reduced to hydroquinone by the yeast in the presence of energy substrate, whereas the concentration exceeded 0.16 mM, the reduction ability was rapidly destroyed even in the presence of energy substrate.

The critical concentration for destruction of the reduction ability was considered to be related to the toxic effect of the quinone on the yeast.