The inhibitory effect of alcide®, an antimicrobial drug, on protein synthesis in Escherichia coli

Alcide®, a broad‐spectrum antimicrobial drug, has been shown to kill a wide range of common pathogenic bacteria as well as fungi, in vitro. This agent consists of Part A and Part B which contain sodium chlorite and lactic acid as the active ingredients, respectively. The mixing of these two parts immediately prior to use results in the formation of chlorine dioxide (ClO₂), a potent germicidal compound. Exposure of exponentially growing E. coli cells to Alcide® resulted in a rapid inhibition of growth as well as loss of viability. Alcide® inhibited DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis; however, RNA and protein synthesis were affected at much lower concentrations. The accumulation of the amino acid analog aminoisobutyric acid into growing cultures of E. coli was only partially impaired by Alcide®. Cell‐free protein synthesis using an RNA directed system was inhibited by Alcide® and this effect was lessened in the presence of mercaptoethanol. Higher concentrations of Alcide® (1 mM) oxidized 25% of the methionine to methionine sulfoxide. Aminoacylation of E. coli bulk tRNA was decreased in vitro and the amino‐acylation of tRNA_f^Met was particularly sensitive to Alcide®.