The in vitro effect of D-arabo-ascorbate-iron(II) complex ([DaA-Fe^<2+>]) on bacteria was investigated using eight bacterial species. [DaA-Fe^<2+>] was bactericidal toward all species examined. The bacteria were sensitive to [DaA-Fe^<2+>] in this order from greatest to least: Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus casei, Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris, Micrococcus flavus and Morganella morganii. Mechanism of the bactericidal action of [DaA-Fe^<2+>] was investigated with E. coli, B. subtilis, L. casei and S. aureus. Bubbling of nitrogen gas through the reaction mixture inhibited the action. Addition to the reaction mixture of reducing agents, chelating agents, radical scavengers, catalase and superoxide dismutase inhibited the action. Transition metal ions enhanced the action. The findings indicate that free radical mechanism is involved in the action and reactive oxygen species are responsible for the bactericidal action. In [DaA-Fe^<2+>]-treated bacterial cells, adsorption of T-phages was inhibited, suggesting the alteration of cell surface by [DaA-Fe^<2+>].
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