Effect of ferrate and monochloramine disinfection on the physiological and transcriptomic response of Escherichia coli at late stationary phase

Biological mechanisms of disinfection not only vary by disinfectant but also remain well understood. We investigated the physiological and transcriptomic response Escherichia coli at late stationary phase to ferrate monochloramine in amended lake water. Although treatments similarly reduced culturable cell concentrations 3-log10, 64% 11% treated cells were viable following treatment, respectively. This observed induction non-culturable (VBNC) state treatment is attributed slower kinetics (by 2.8 times) compared ferrate. Transcriptomic analysis E. 15 min exposure revealed that 3 times as many genes related translation transcription downregulated ferrate, suggesting may be inducing VBNC through protein synthesis metabolism. Downregulation universal stress (rpoS, uspA) was growth-related stressors during which have contributed elevated expression levels general responses pre-disinfection and, subsequently, their significant downregulation post-disinfection. Both disinfectants upregulated oxidative (trxC, grxA, soxS), although upregulation time sensitive. work shows bacterial inactivation mediated complex molecular responses.