Synergistic Inhibition of Microbial Sulfide Production by Combinations of the Metabolic Inhibitor Nitrite and Biocides

• Published in: Applied and Environmental Microbiology Vol. 72; no. 12; pp. 7897 - 7901
• Main Authors: Greene, E. Anne, Brunelle, Veronique, Jenneman, Gary E, Voordouw, Gerrit
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Society for Microbiology 01.12.2006
• Subjects: Bacteria; Benzalkonium Compounds - pharmacology; Biological and medical sciences; Chemical elements; Desulfovibrio - drug effects; Desulfovibrio - metabolism; Disinfectants - pharmacology; Drug Synergism; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Glutaral - pharmacology; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Microbiology; Nitrites - pharmacology; Organisms; Pesticides; Physiology and Biotechnology; Propylene Glycols - pharmacology; Sulfides - metabolism; Sulfur-Reducing Bacteria - drug effects; Sulfur-Reducing Bacteria - metabolism; Sulfides; Nitrites; Production; Inhibitor; Inhibition; Microorganism; Metabolism; Biocide; Synergism
• ISSN: 0099-2240; 1098-5336
• DOI: 10.1128/AEM.01526-06

MICs of six broad-spectrum biocides and two specific metabolic inhibitors and fractional inhibitory concentration indexes (FICIs) for controlling a sulfide-producing consortium were determined. Nitrite was synergistic (FICI < 1) with all but one biocide due to its specific inhibition of dissimilatory sulfite reductase. Hence, combining nitrite with biocides allows more efficient and cost-effective control of sulfate-reducing bacteria.