Bactericidal properties of an organic N-chloramine formed in situ |
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Authors: | Elisabeth D.,Elder,S. D. Worley,&dagger &Dagger D. E. Williams,&dagger |
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Affiliation: | *Department of Biology, Georgia Southwestern College, Americus, Georgia 31709;†Department of Chemistry, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849, USA |
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Abstract: | Agent I (3-chloro-4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazolidinone) formed in situ was compared with pre-formed agent I as a disinfectant against Staphylococcus aureus. In situ formation involved combining the non-chlorinated oxazolidinone precursor with calcium hypochlorite to form 5 and 10 mg/l total chlorine concentrations of agent I. The variables included in the study were temperature, pH and concentration. Overall the bacteria were killed more rapidly at 22° than at 4°C. The in situ formation appeared to occur most rapidly at pH 7˙0, slightly slower at pH 9˙5, and very slowly at pH 4˙5 as evidenced by the presence of residual free chlorine. In the in situ experimental runs the 5 and 10 mg/l concentrations were equally effective in obtaining a six log decline in cfu/ml. This study indicates the potential for using the organic N-chloramine as a general purpose disinfectant while omitting the laboratory synthesis of the final product. |
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