The Toxic Action on Bacteria of Irradiated Solutions of Copper Compounds

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Abstract
Solutions of several copper compounds when irradiated have been shown to be toxic to bacteria. The effect was obtained only when the irradiation and toxicity measurements were under conditions of rigorous anoxia. It was concluded that radiation converted cupric compounds to cuprous compounds toxic to the bacterial test system. Not all irradiated copper compounds were toxic, possibly because the copper atom in some compounds could not migrate to a vital site within the bacterial cell. Preirradiated bacteria were shown to be much less sensitive to the toxic action of irradiated solutions of copper compounds, and irradiation of bacteria in the presence of copper complexes led to sensitization of the bacteria to irradiation. This interaction indicated that the lethal action of both radiation and irradiated copper complexes could be at the same site or through the same mechanism, and a possible sequence of Irradiation and bacteria-copper complex interaction Was deduced.