Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Investigating the Detrimental Effects of Low Pressure Plasma Sterilization on the Survival of Bacillus subtilis Spores Using Live Cell Microscopy
10:03

Investigating the Detrimental Effects of Low Pressure Plasma Sterilization on the Survival of Bacillus subtilis Spores Using Live Cell Microscopy

Published on: November 30, 2017

Efficacy of a sanitizer and disinfectants to inactivate Encephalitozoon intestinalis spores

Ynes R Ortega1, Maria P Torres, Siara Van Exel

  • 1Center for Food Safety, Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Georgia, 1109 Experiment Street, Griffin, Georgia 30223, USA. ortega@uga.edu

Journal of Food Protection
|March 29, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Hydrogen peroxide effectively inactivated Enterocytozoon intestinalis spores, a common pathogen causing gastrointestinal illness. Other disinfectants showed varying efficacy, with ammonium hydroxide requiring high concentrations and commercial products needing longer exposure times.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Environmental Hygiene

Background:

  • Microsporidia are ubiquitous pathogens infecting humans and animals, with Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon intestinalis causing gastrointestinal illness.
  • Disinfection protocols are crucial for controlling the spread of microsporidian infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of four disinfectants against Encephalitozoon intestinalis spores.
  • To determine the impact of varying exposure times on disinfectant effectiveness.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro assessment of spore viability using RK-13 cells after exposure to disinfectants.
  • Tested disinfectants included ammonium hydroxide, hydrogen peroxide, Tsunami (peroxyacetic acid), and Timsen (N-alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride).
  • Exposure times ranged from 1 to 15 minutes.

Main Results:

  • Hydrogen peroxide demonstrated the highest efficiency in inactivating E. intestinalis spores across all concentrations and exposure times.
  • Ammonium hydroxide was effective only at its highest concentration, regardless of exposure duration.
  • Tsunami and Timsen inactivated spores after 5 and 15 minutes of incubation.

Conclusions:

  • Hydrogen peroxide is a highly effective disinfectant against E. intestinalis spores.
  • Specific concentrations and longer exposure times are necessary for ammonium hydroxide, Tsunami, and Timsen to achieve spore inactivation.

More Related Videos

The Portable Chemical Sterilizer (PCS), D-FENS, and D-FEND ALL: Novel Chlorine Dioxide Decontamination Technologies for the Military14:17

The Portable Chemical Sterilizer (PCS), D-FENS, and D-FEND ALL: Novel Chlorine Dioxide Decontamination Technologies for the Military

Published on: June 29, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Antimicrobial Effectiveness01:28

Antimicrobial Effectiveness

The effectiveness of antimicrobial agents depends on various factors influencing their ability to eliminate microbial populations. Larger microbial populations require more time for complete eradication, emphasizing the importance of population size analysis when evaluating antimicrobial efficacy.Microbial resistance to antimicrobial agents varies significantly. Highly resilient microorganisms include endospores, gram-negative bacteria, and non-enveloped viruses, while prions are exceptionally...
Chemical Agents for Microbial Control01:27

Chemical Agents for Microbial Control

Chemicals play important roles in controlling microbial growth by targeting microbial structures and functions as sanitizers, antiseptics, disinfectants, and sterilants.Alcohols are commonly used sanitizers, effectively disrupting lipid membranes, which compromises cell integrity. They are also used as antiseptics and disinfectants due to their rapid action and versatility.Phenols and their derivatives phenolics , known for denaturing proteins and disrupting cell membranes, are particularly...