Analysis of Ultrasound Supported Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activities of Disinfection By-product Bromochloroacetonitrile

Abstract

Introduction: Some microorganism threaten human health by forming biofilm in water systems. Because microorganism in the biofilm structure are more resistant to antimicrobials. Methods: Water systems are disinfected with physical methods, such as ultrasonication techniques and chemical disinfectants. Bromochloroacetonitrile is produced as a by-product from algae and fulvic acid sources during water chlorination. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects of bromochloroacetonitrile on some bacteria alone and with ultrasound treatment. The study used Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Klebsiella pneumoniae MCTC 13438, and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 strains. The antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of the test substance were analyzed alone with bromochloroacetonitrile and Ultrasound-assisted. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration values of the test substance against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Klebsiella pneumoniae MCTC 13438, and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 strains were 25, 25 and 50 mM, respectively, and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration values were 50, >50, and >50 mM, respectively. Results: The obtained data show that bromochloroacetonitrile is a potential disinfection agent that can be used against biofilm formation in water systems. Besides, it was revealed that when ultrasound treatment was applied with bromochloroacetonitrile, it showed 100% antibiofilm activity on E. coli and K. pneumoniae and 79.45% antibiofilm activity on S. aureus strains. The obtained data show that bromochloroacetonitrile is a potential disinfection agent that can be used against biofilm formation in water systems. This study is preliminary and planned to reveal the cytotoxic effects of bromochloroacetonitrile on healthy human skin and liver cells in the following study. Conclusion: These results will contribute to the literature, as no study reveals the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of bromochloroacetonitrile.