The antimicrobial mechanism of electrochemically activated water against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli as determined by SDS-PAGE analysis.

AIMS To expose bacteria to anolyte and subsequently investigate the effect of anolyte on the protein profiles of treated bacteria. METHODS AND RESULTS Proteins were extracted from bacteria treated with different concentrations of anolyte and analysed using SDS-PAGE. Fewer and more faint protein bands were observed for concentrated halide anolyte treated bacteria when compared to untreated bacteria while extra protein bands were observed for bacteria exposed to dilute concentrations. CONCLUSIONS The undiluted and the 10(-1) dilution of halide derived anolyte was effective in killing the test bacteria. Anolyte caused bacterial death by complete destruction of proteins or by causing oxidative stress which resulted in protein fragmentation. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY The results of this study provide information on the antimicrobial mechanism of anolyte on other bacteria for which the information is currently unavailable.